This week, we debunked five major items of misinformation, including communal claims from Bangladesh alleging that the Muslims assaulted a temple. Apart from this, there were misleading claims about the Waqf Board in Andhra Pradesh, and unrelated images falsely presented as cyclone Fengal in Chennai.
1. No, This Video Doesn’t Show Muslims in Bangladesh Attacking Goddess Kali Temple
A video went viral on social media, claiming that it depicts Muslims assaulting temples and defacing an idol of Goddess Kali in Bangladesh.
Those sharing wrote, "While Islamists in Bangladesh attacking Hindu Temples, vandalizing deities, their leaders are making tons of cash by importing essential food items, including potato, spices, lentil, egg etc from India."
However, the claim is false.
The footage is actually from Sultanpur, West Bengal, and has no connection to Bangladesh. It depicts the individuals taking part in the Goddess Kali immersion ceremony.
Read the story here.
2. Has Andhra Pradesh Govt Abolished State Waqf Board? No, Claim Is Misleading
A claim is circulating on social media platforms that the government of Andhra Pradesh, led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has recently dissolved the state's Waqf Board.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya shared a similar claim on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. He said, "Andhra Pradesh government strikes down the Waqf Board. There is no provision in the Constitution, which supports the existence of one in a secular India."
No, the claim is misleading. The government of Andhra Pradesh dissolved the current Waqf Board because of various legal and administrative issues.
The fact-check wing of the state administration announced that a new Waqf board will be formed shortly.
Read our fact-check here.
3. Altered Video of Pankaj Tripathi Mocking the BJP Shared by AAP
A viral video is circulating on the internet featuring Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi campaigning against the BJP in a commercial.
In the video, Tripathi plays the role of a peanut vendor and says, “I sell peanuts, not my intelligence. Take a look at this message from the BJP. It says, ‘Vote for us, we’ll bring development.’ Do you think I’m clueless? I vote for them, and government funds just vanish. I may be a peanut seller, but I’m no fool. If the BJP tries to lure you, remember to say, ‘I’m not a fool."
This video has been altered to display 'Vote for BJP' on the phone screen.
Although it has been modified with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to alter Tripathi's original lines to express views contrary to the BJP.
In the original video, Tripathi spoke about UPI fraud for “UPI Chalega," and nothing about the BJP. The video was shared by the actor and UPI Chalega's page.
Read our fact-check here.
4. Fact-Check: False Claim Viral That India Was Removed From BRICS Core Committee
Sharing an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a claim is going viral that India has been removed from the "core committee" of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (BRICS) on social media platforms.
We found no evidence to prove the validity of the claim. There are latest reports on the BRICS website noting deals and work agreements between India and other BRICS countries.
Read the story here.
5. Clip of Flooded Road Falsely Shared as One From Chennai Amid Cyclone Fengal
While cyclone Fengal persists in Sri Lanka, some regions of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka faced rough seas, strong winds, and flooding.
Amidst this, a video went viral on social media, depicting flooding on roadways, with the claim that it is from Marina Beach in Chennai.
The claim is false. The video is from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia when the place experienced heavy rains in September 2024.
Read the 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.)