Fact Check: Unrelated Video Falsely Circulated as Recent West Bengal Footage Before Elections

False Video Circulates Showing Alleged Army Action Against TMC Supporters in West Bengal

A video circulating widely across social media platforms purportedly showing Indian Army personnel using force against Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters in West Bengal has been proven false by fact-checkers at Lighthouse Journalism.

The investigation revealed that the footage, which shows police officers using batons against protestors, actually originated from Bangladesh earlier this year and has no connection to the current electoral situation in West Bengal.

The misleading clip began gaining traction when X (formerly Twitter) user Prarthana Singh shared it with the caption in Hindi that translates to: “Army brave soldiers treating Mamata sister’s goons,” implying that the Indian military was taking action against TMC workers. The post quickly spread across multiple platforms with similar claims.

Lighthouse Journalism’s fact-checking team employed reverse image search technology on key frames from the video to trace its original source. Their investigation led to a video published by Chdnews24, identified as “Bangladesh Government approved private IP television and multimedia news portal,” showing it was footage from a protest in Bangladesh.

Further verification came from news agency ANI, which had published related footage on February 6, 2024, showing members of an organization called Inqilab Mancha protesting in Dhaka. The demonstrators were demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi, a protest leader who died on December 18, 2023.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, the “March for Justice” began around 11:30 am from Hadi Chattar in Shahbagh, Dhaka, with activists participating with pickup vans and trucks.

This misinformation emerges at a sensitive time as West Bengal prepares for elections, where tensions between political parties often run high. The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and opposition parties including the BJP have frequently been engaged in heated political confrontations in the state.

The circulation of such misleading content highlights the growing challenge of election-related misinformation in India. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds where manipulated or repurposed videos from unrelated events are weaponized to influence public opinion ahead of polls.

Digital literacy experts have repeatedly warned about the surge in such misleading content during election periods, with videos from different countries or past events frequently repurposed to make false claims about political opponents.

This incident underscores the importance of verification before sharing potentially inflammatory content online, particularly during politically charged periods. Fact-checking organizations like Lighthouse Journalism play a crucial role in debunking such misinformation before it can significantly impact public perception.

As elections approach in West Bengal, authorities and social media platforms remain on high alert for similar attempts to spread misinformation that could potentially inflame tensions in the politically sensitive region.