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A video circulating on social media allegedly showing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee walking off stage during the Indian national anthem has been debunked as deliberately manipulated footage.
Fact-checking organization Vishvas News conducted a thorough investigation of the video, which was shared by a Facebook page called “Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi Unofficial Group” on November 7, 2025. The post carried an inflammatory caption reading, “Those who can’t respect the 52-second national anthem, how will they respect the country?”
The investigation revealed that the viral clip was deceptively edited from footage of an event that took place on March 23, 2022, at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium. During this event, Banerjee was distributing widow pension benefits to new applicants.
Upon closer examination, researchers identified the exact source of the original video on Getty Images and other platforms. The complete, unedited footage clearly shows Banerjee standing respectfully throughout the instrumental version of the national anthem and leaving the stage only after it concluded.
“The original video confirms that the Chief Minister remained on stage for the entire duration of the anthem,” said JK Bajpai, a senior journalist with Dainik Jagran in Kolkata, who verified the context and authenticity of the event.
This incident highlights a growing concern regarding the manipulation of video content featuring political figures, particularly as India approaches election seasons when such misinformation tends to proliferate.
The Facebook page that shared the doctored clip has approximately 600,000 followers, indicating the potential reach of such misleading content. Digital rights advocates have repeatedly warned about the dangers of edited videos that can rapidly spread false narratives about public officials.
This is not the first instance where Indian political leaders have been targeted through manipulated media. In recent years, fact-checking organizations have observed an uptick in digitally altered videos designed to portray politicians disrespecting national symbols or making controversial statements they never actually made.
Media literacy experts emphasize the importance of verifying sources before sharing potentially inflammatory content, especially when it appears to show public figures engaging in behavior that would likely generate significant controversy.
“Maliciously edited videos can significantly damage public perception and create unnecessary divisions,” noted a digital media analyst who studies misinformation trends in South Asia. “The technology to create convincing fakes is increasingly accessible, making verification more important than ever.”
The national anthem holds particular significance in India, where showing proper respect during its performance is not only a matter of patriotic duty but also legally mandated in certain contexts. False allegations of disrespecting the anthem can therefore be particularly damaging to a political figure’s reputation.
As digital manipulation techniques become more sophisticated, news organizations and fact-checkers face growing challenges in combating misinformation. This case demonstrates the critical importance of examining original sources and context before accepting potentially divisive content at face value.
The fact-check concluded definitively that the claim about Mamata Banerjee leaving during the national anthem is false, with multiple independent sources confirming she remained respectfully present throughout the anthem’s duration.
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18 Comments
While I don’t have specific knowledge of the political context, it’s clear this edited video was an attempt to discredit the West Bengal Chief Minister. I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to expose the truth.
Yes, this is a good example of why we need reliable, independent fact-checking to combat the growing problem of manipulated media and online misinformation.
This is a concerning example of how easy it is for videos to be manipulated and used to spread false narratives. I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to trace the original footage and expose the deception.
Agreed, it’s a good reminder to be cautious and critical consumers of online content, especially when it comes to politically sensitive issues. Fact-checking is crucial.
Interesting to see how quickly edited videos can spread and shape narratives, even when they’re clearly manipulated. Kudos to the investigators for their diligence in tracing the source and exposing the deception.
Agreed, it’s a concerning trend that highlights the importance of media literacy and fact-checking, especially when it comes to politically charged issues. We all have a responsibility to be critical consumers of online content.
The deceptive editing of this video is concerning. It’s a good reminder to always double-check the facts before spreading potentially misleading information, especially related to public figures.
Absolutely, manipulated media can have real consequences. Fact-checking is essential to maintain trust and prevent the spread of disinformation.
Interesting to see how edited videos can spread misinformation so quickly these days. Good to see fact-checking organizations investigating and debunking these false claims.
Absolutely, it’s crucial to verify sources and context before sharing sensitive political videos online. Fact-checking helps maintain integrity.
While I’m not familiar with the political context, it’s clear this edited video was an attempt to discredit the West Bengal Chief Minister. Kudos to the investigators for uncovering the truth.
Yes, it’s important to understand the full context and not jump to conclusions based on partial information. Rigorous fact-checking is the best way to combat this kind of misinformation.
This is a troubling example of how easy it is for videos to be edited and used to spread false narratives. I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to uncover the truth and expose the deception.
Absolutely, this underscores the critical need for robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts to combat the growing problem of online misinformation. We must all be vigilant consumers of digital content.
The deceptive editing of this video is a concerning trend. It’s important that we all remain vigilant and verify information, especially around politically charged topics, before sharing it online.
Absolutely. Fact-checking is essential to maintain the integrity of public discourse and prevent the spread of misinformation that can have real-world consequences.
This highlights the importance of media literacy and being cautious about unverified claims, especially around politically charged topics. Kudos to the investigators for their diligence.
Agreed, we need to be vigilant consumers of online content and not automatically believe everything we see, even if it seems convincing at first glance.