WebQoof Recap: False Claims Around Delhi Polls, Deported Indians, Kumbh & More
Here are the viral pieces of fake news that we fact-checked this week!
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From misinformation around the Delhi elections to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and the deportation of Indians from the United States of America (USA), along with The Quint's special series, "Fake News, Real Impact: The Charkhi Dadri Lynching," here are some stories that we covered this week.
1. Fact-Check: This Image Doesn’t Show United States Recently Deporting Immigrants
A photo of a large crowd seated inside an airplane is circulating online, with claims that it depicts a US flight used for deporting immigrants.
However, the claim is false. The image dates back to August 2021 and shows Afghans fleeing their country after Taliban took over Kabul.
Read the fact-check here.
2. Fact-Check: Fake Dilli Tak Opinion Poll Of Okhla Constituency Viral as Real
An opinion poll survey featuring the logo of Dilli Tak, a sister channel of Aaj Tak, is circulating on social media.
The infographic pertains to the Okhla constituency located in Delhi. It shows All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in the lead, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at third and the Congress at the last spot.
However, the claim is false. The editor of Dilli Tak, Anuradha Tanwar confirmed to The Quint that the graphic was fake.
Read the story here.
3. Deepfake Video of Comedian Samay Raina Joking About Rekha on KBC Viral as Real
A viral video, purportedly taken from the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati's special episode, showing host Amitabh Bachchan with comedian Samay Raina has gone viral on social media.
In the clip, Raina cracked a joke mentioning veteran actor Rekha at Bachchan.
However, this claim is false. The video has been altered using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Raina did not make this joke in the episode.
Read the story here.
4. Unrelated Video Shared as Police Action on People Who Stoned Maha Kumbh Train
A video showing police personnel beating, dragging, and arresting people has gone viral on X.
Those sharing have claimed that it shows the Uttar Pradesh police taking action against people who pelted stones on a train carrying devotees to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, by evicting them from their homes.
However, the claim is false. The footage reveals West Bengal police intervening with All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) youth leaders, who got into a interfactional clash over a land dispute in the Suri village of Birbhum district.
Read the full story here.
5. Charkhi Dadri Lynching: How Rumours of Cow Slaughter Cost Sabir His Life
In August 2024, Sabir Malik, a 26-year-old migrant worker from West Bengal, was lynched in Hansawas Khurd village, Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. The attack was fuelled by rumours that he was consuming beef.
The assailants, a group of villagers, accused him of cow slaughter, leading to a violent mob attack. The food items at Sabir's house were taken out of his house and checked.
Eventually, Sabir and another migrant laborer from Assam, Sirajuddin, were savagely attacked. Sabir succumbed to his injuries, while Sirajuddin managed to escape.
The Quint's fact-checking team reached Charkhi Dadri to understand how such rumours spread, directly affect people's lives.
In this episode of our special series, "Fake News, Real Impact," we aim to highlight the dangers of misinformation and mob violence in India.
Watch the ground report here.
(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9540511818 , or e-mail it to us at webqoof@thequint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)