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A social media image falsely linking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to an interfaith wedding has been debunked after thorough investigation by fact-checkers. The misleading post has been circulating widely across platforms, highlighting ongoing tensions around religious politics in India’s most populous state.
The viral image shows CM Adityanath sitting with a bride and groom, accompanied by text claiming he attended the wedding of BJP General Secretary Ramlal’s niece to a Muslim man named Faizan Karim. The caption accompanying the image suggests hypocrisy, stating: “Yogi was present at the wedding of BJP General Secretary Ramlal’s niece to Faizan Karim. Hatred for poor Muslims and a wealthy son-in-law as the first choice this is amazing.”
Fact-checking organization DFRAC conducted an investigation that revealed the image actually shows the Chief Minister at a completely different event – the wedding of Apurv Gangwar, son of Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar. The original wedding photos were shared on Facebook by Dr. Ankit Moga, a friend of the groom, on December 12, 2025.
In his original post, Dr. Moga wrote: “It is a great privilege for me to witness the grand wedding of my dear friend Apurv, son of the Honorable Governor of Jharkhand, Shri Santosh Gangwar. The ceremony was graced by the dignified presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, making the occasion truly memorable and historic.”
Media outlet ETV Bharat also published a report with photos from the same event, confirming CM Adityanath’s attendance at the Gangwar family wedding.
The false narrative appears to have been constructed around a real interfaith wedding that occurred seven years ago. According to a Dainik Bhaskar report from that time, BJP leader Ramlal’s niece, Shreya Gupta, did indeed marry Faizan Karim, son of Gorakhpur Congress leader Dr. Surhita Chatterjee Karim, in a ceremony following Vedic rituals in Lucknow.
That wedding was attended by prominent figures including then-Governor Ram Naik, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP National General Secretary Bhupender Yadav, and Congress leader Pramod Tiwari. The news report specifically noted that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath did not attend this event.
To further verify their findings, DFRAC contacted Lucknow-based journalist Abu Ashraf Zeeshan, who confirmed that the viral image shows CM Adityanath at the Gangwar family wedding, not the Gupta-Karim ceremony.
The spread of this misinformation comes amid heightened political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, where religious identity often becomes a flashpoint in public discourse. CM Adityanath, known for his strong Hindu nationalist stance, has frequently faced criticism from opposition parties regarding policies affecting religious minorities.
This incident highlights the increasing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms, where contextual manipulation of images can rapidly spread false narratives. Such misleading content often exploits existing social and political tensions, particularly around religious identity and relationships.
Fact-checking organizations continue to play a crucial role in identifying and debunking such misinformation, though the initial false claims often spread more widely than subsequent corrections. This pattern raises ongoing concerns about social media’s impact on public perception and political discourse in India’s complex religious landscape.
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10 Comments
This highlights the need for caution when sharing unverified social media posts, even if they seem plausible. I appreciate the diligent investigation to uncover the true facts behind this misleading claim.
Agreed. It’s a good reminder that we should be skeptical of online content and take the time to corroborate details before sharing or amplifying it.
The debunking of this false claim is a positive example of responsible journalism and fact-based reporting. Maintaining accuracy and integrity in news coverage is crucial, especially on sensitive political topics.
Well said. Fact-checking helps uphold journalistic standards and public trust in the media. It’s an important safeguard against the spread of misinformation.
Interesting fact check. It’s important to verify claims and not spread misinformation, especially around sensitive topics like religious politics. I’m glad the investigators were able to clarify the details of this event.
Yes, fact-checking is crucial these days with so much misinformation circulating. It’s good the local authorities were able to set the record straight.
This story underscores the complexity of religious and political dynamics in India. While the original social media post seemed to push a certain narrative, the investigation revealed a more nuanced reality. Nuance and objectivity are key.
Absolutely. Oversimplification and jumping to conclusions can lead to the propagation of false narratives. Fact-based, impartial reporting is essential for understanding sensitive social and political issues.
I appreciate the diligence of the fact-checkers in this case. Verifying the details and providing the correct context helps counter the spread of misinformation. This is an important service to the public, especially on topics that can be politically charged.
Well said. Fact-checking initiatives play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of public discourse and preventing the amplification of false claims, especially around issues with significant social and political implications.