WebQoof Recap: Of False Claims Around Mohd Shami, Bodh Gaya Protests & More
Here are the viral pieces of fake news that we debunked this week!
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From false claims about Indian cricketer Mohammad Shami to unrelated visuals linked to the Bodh Gaya protests and misleading communal undertones given to Karnataka state's budget, here are the viral pieces of misinformation that we debunked this week.
1. Fact-Check: Misleading Communal Claims About Karnataka’s State Budget Viral
Social media users have claimed that the Karnataka government's state budget includes numerous financial and additional benefits for the Muslim community in the region.
Those who shared these posts mentioned that ₹1,000 crore for minority development, ₹150 crore for Waqf protection, ₹100 crore for Urdu Schools, imam salaries raised to ₹6,000, self-defence only for girls from minorities, and large halls for Muslims in every taluk (administrative district).
Those discussing referred to it as a "Muslim League Budget," attributing a communal undertone to it.
However, we found out that several of these claims had a communal undertone to claim that the Congress government in the state appeased a particular community.
Read the full report here.
2. Old Video Shared as Visuals From Air India Flight Forced To Return to Chicago
Following reports of an Air India flight heading to Delhi returning to Chicago due to blocked toilets, a video is currently being shared on social media, with users linking it with the incident.
In addition to social media users, news outlets such as The Indian Express, Times Now, Mirror Now, The Tribune, News9, and others disseminated reports regarding the same assertion.
However, the viral video could be traced to at least January of this year and is not connected to the recent Air India flight event.
Read the fact-check here.
3. Video Showing Monk Beaten in Nepal Falsely Linked to Bodh Gaya Protests in Bihar
A video is going viral on social media, purporting to show police kicking a Buddhist monk on a road.
Users have claimed that the video is from India and is related to the Bodh Gaya protests.
However, the video comes from Kathmandu, Nepal, showing a confrontation between police and members of the National Liberation Movement that occurred in April 2024.
It is not associated with the Bodh Gaya demonstrations that started this year.
Read the story here.
4. Viral Edited Clip Claims Mohd Shami Said He Was ‘Forced’ To Break Ramzan Fast
A clip featuring cricketer Mohd Shami apologising for allegedly breaking his Ramazan fast during a recent match is being shared on social media platforms.
The cricketer said that he was "forced" to do this.
This claims came after the cricketer's image, seen, consuming an energy drink during the match against Australia on 4 March, as part of the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy circulated on the internet.
The claim states that he was 'forced' to break his fast during a recent match.
However, this video is edited and the original dates back to April 2024.
However, the claim is false. The manipulated audio has been added onto the video.
The original video dates back to April 2024 and shows him wishing people on the occasion of Eid.
Read the story here.
5. Scam Websites Featuring Shreya Ghoshal Viral as News Articles, Ads on X
Several news articles and advertisements are emerging for users on X featuring pictures of singer Shreya Ghoshal.
These articles feature sensational titles regarding Ghoshal paired with fraudulent website links.
These pictures also feature logos of news outlets such as The Indian Express and Times Now.
Scam websites featured Ghoshal which carried phishing links.
Scam websites featured Ghoshal which carried phishing links.
Scam websites featured Ghoshal which carried phishing links.
Scam websites featured Ghoshal which carried phishing links.
However, these images with sensational headlines carry fake news.
They carry links to phishing websites and fake interviews.
Most of these images are also altered.
Read the full story 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.)