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In a case of misleading viral content, a widely circulated video purportedly showing angry protesters attacking a BJP MLA’s vehicle in Bihar has been debunked as false. The incident, which has gained significant traction on social media ahead of Bihar’s upcoming Assembly elections, actually occurred in West Bengal, not Bihar.
The video shows an agitated crowd pelting a car bearing a BJP sticker with shoes, stones, and other projectiles, while a uniformed security officer attempts to protect the vehicle. Many social media users shared this footage claiming it demonstrated public outrage against a BJP legislator in Bihar, apparently trying to create a narrative of anti-BJP sentiment in the poll-bound state.
A fact-check investigation, however, has conclusively determined that the incident took place in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal on October 6, 2024, not in Bihar as falsely claimed. The video’s origin was traced to a Facebook post dated October 10, which correctly identified the footage as showing an attack on BJP leaders in West Bengal.
Further verification revealed that the original video carried the watermark of RNF News, a regional news channel that had uploaded footage of the incident to its YouTube channel on October 9. According to RNF News and multiple other media reports, the attack occurred in the Nagarakata area of Jalpaiguri, where BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh had gone to conduct flood relief work.
North Bengal has been severely affected by devastating floods and landslides in early October, with at least 40 deaths reported across Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. The BJP leaders had reportedly visited the region to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts when they were targeted by protesters.
Several mainstream news outlets including Amar Ujala, Live Hindustan, and Jagran corroborated the incident’s location and circumstances. The Tribune also uploaded video footage of the attack, providing additional verification that the incident occurred in West Bengal.
The attack gained significant political attention in West Bengal, with BJP leader Amit Malviya accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the violence against the BJP representatives. Both Khagen Murmu and Shankar Ghosh required medical attention following the incident and were hospitalized.
In a notable development that further confirms the West Bengal origin of the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited MP Murmu in the hospital. The attack’s severity prompted the Calcutta High Court to demand a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This misleading attribution represents a concerning pattern of misinformation often seen during election periods, when out-of-context videos or images from different locations are repurposed to shape voter sentiment. As Bihar prepares for its Assembly elections, such false narratives could potentially influence voter behavior if left unchallenged.
The incident highlights the crucial role of fact-checking in the current information ecosystem, particularly during sensitive electoral periods when political tensions run high. Social media users are advised to verify the authenticity and context of such videos before sharing them, especially when they purport to show politically charged events.
As election campaigns intensify in Bihar, officials and media watchdogs will likely remain vigilant against similar instances of misinformation that could disrupt the electoral process or inflame political tensions in the state.
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9 Comments
Glad the commission was able to trace the origins of this video and determine it was not what it was claimed to be. Verification is crucial, especially around elections.
Yes, the source tracing is impressive. It’s important to get the facts right and not let false narratives take hold, especially on sensitive political issues.
Misleading content like this can really sway public opinion, so I’m glad the commission investigated and debunked the false claims. Fact-checking is so important these days.
It’s concerning to see how quickly misinformation can spread on social media these days. This disinformation commission is doing important work to counter false narratives.
Absolutely, the power of social media to amplify misleading claims is really troubling. Rigorous fact-checking is the best way to combat this problem.
Interesting fact-check on the misleading video. It’s important to verify claims and not spread misinformation, especially around elections. Glad they were able to trace the source and location of the incident.
Absolutely, fact-checking is crucial to maintain trust in the electoral process. Good to see the disinformation commission taking action on this.
This is a good example of the need for careful reporting and fact-checking, especially on sensitive political issues. Spreading unverified claims can have serious consequences.
Agreed. Fact-checking helps uphold journalistic integrity and prevents the spread of misinformation. Kudos to the commission for debunking this false narrative.