Video From Maharashtra Falsely Shared as Bajrang Dal Rally in Kolkata

This video is from Maharashtra and shows a campaign led by the Shri Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan held in February 2025

Fact-Check: This video is from Maharashtra and not West Bengal, as claimed. 

(Source: The Quint) 

A video showing a massive rally featuring saffron flags and wooden sticks is being shared with the claim that it represents a Bajrang Dal rally en route to West Bengal's Governor House to protest against the Trinamool Congress-led government in the state.

• This comes in connection with the recent communal violence in Murshidabad, which sparked after newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act.

An archive of the post can be found here. 

(Source: Instagram/Screenshot)

(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.)

Is the claim true?: No, the claim is false.

• This video is from a religious rally taken out by a group called Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan Gadkot campaign in Maharashtra in February 2025.

What we found: At first, we divided the video into multiple screenshots and ran a Google reverse image search on some of them.

• We came across a few posts featuring the same video from February. Some of those hinted that the video could be from Maharashtra as some accounts had a username such as, "maratha_empire_3.5cr."

• The video's caption noted, "Gadkot Campaign," which was uploaded on 11 February.

• We also found a report by ABP Majha which featured visuals of the viral video.

• In the clip, people were seen wearing saffron head turbans, shouldering rolled mats, and grasping wooden sticks. The Hindi caption noted, "Raigad Sambhaji Bhide: Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan Gadkot initiative, Dharkari of Sambhaji Bhide at Raigad.”

• A text report by ABP Majha noted that the campaign concluded at the Raigad Fort where the supporters chanted 'Shiva' slogans.

• Similarly, a YouTube channel named 'Jai Maharashtra News' also shared a video about this campaign. It noted, "Dhara Tirtha campaign concludes today at Raigad Fort."

• Nowhere did the reports and social media posts mentioned the involvement of Bajrang Dal.

Conclusion: This video is from Maharashtra and has been falsely shared as one from West Bengal.

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