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Misleading Video of Holi Celebration Falsely Portrayed as BJP Victory Rally in West Bengal
Political tensions reached a fever pitch in West Bengal on Monday as the results of the state’s 2026 Assembly Elections were announced. Early trends showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), triggering celebrations across the state from BJP supporters.
Amidst the flurry of election-related content, a video allegedly showing people celebrating the BJP’s victory on Kolkata’s iconic Howrah Bridge quickly went viral on social media platforms. The clip depicts a large gathering with people playing with colored powders and chanting “Jai Shri Ram” while crossing the bridge.
Several prominent media outlets, including Pune Mirror, Times Now Navbharat, and News18 India, shared the video, attributing it to BJP’s electoral success. News18 India’s post on X (formerly Twitter) claimed: “The bridge is historic… the celebration is historic too! Kolkata’s iconic Howrah Bridge is bathed in the colors of BJP’s victory. ‘A new dawn for Sonar Bangla!’ Have you seen this spectacular sight of the Howrah Bridge?”
However, a fact-check by NewsMeter has revealed that the claim is false. The video actually shows Holi celebrations that took place on the Howrah Bridge in March of this year, entirely unrelated to the election results.
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to an Instagram post by a user named Rameshwar Arya, who had posted the same footage on March 9 with the caption “Jai Shree Ram chants in Kolkata” in Hindi.
Further analysis of the footage revealed several inconsistencies with the election victory claim. No political or BJP flags are visible in the video, which would be expected at a political rally. Additionally, participants are covered in various colors including red, yellow, and green—a stark contrast to the BJP’s official saffron color that would likely dominate any party celebration.
Additional research connected the footage to “Rolls Royce Holi,” an annual Dol Jatra procession held in Kolkata around the Holi festival. This religious event features a vintage Rolls-Royce car carrying idols of Radha and Krishna through the city. In 2026, the celebration took place on March 1, when a large procession with colored powders, music, and crowds moved from Howrah through the bridge toward Burrabazar.
A YouTube vlog titled ‘Rolls Royce Holi’ posted on March 1 by a channel named BACKBENCHER STREET provided conclusive evidence. The vlog shows identical scenes to the viral video, including a decorated mini truck with three men—one singing, one standing, and one holding a phone—matching exactly what appears in the footage being misrepresented as election celebrations.
This incident highlights the increasing challenge of misinformation during election periods, when emotions run high and verification may take a backseat to rapid sharing of content that aligns with viewers’ political expectations.
West Bengal, a state with a history of intense political rivalries, has seen particularly heated contests between the BJP and TMC in recent years. The 2026 Assembly Elections represent a significant political shift in the state, where Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has held power since defeating the Left Front government in 2011.
While authentic celebrations did occur following the BJP’s victory announcement, the viral video of the Howrah Bridge gathering is conclusively from a Holi celebration that took place two months before the election results.
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11 Comments
Thanks for the fact-check. It’s important to verify claims, especially around politically charged events, to avoid the spread of misinformation. I appreciate the diligence in getting the real story behind this viral video.
As someone interested in the mining and commodities sector, I’m glad to see fact-checking efforts extend to related political and social issues. Maintaining objectivity and truth is important, even in tangentially related news coverage.
This is a good reminder to be cautious about viral videos and social media claims, especially around elections and political issues. Fact-checking is crucial to separate truth from fiction. Well done on setting the record straight here.
Hats off to the fact-checkers for their diligence in investigating this case. Discerning truth from falsehood is increasingly challenging in our digital age, but efforts like this help uphold journalistic integrity.
I agree. Fact-checking is an essential service that helps combat the spread of misinformation. It’s heartening to see organizations dedicated to this important work.
While political tensions can run high, it’s vital that we strive for objectivity and accuracy, rather than jumping to conclusions. This fact-check is a commendable example of responsible reporting.
As someone with an interest in the mining and commodities sector, I appreciate the broader context provided here. Maintaining a clear, fact-based understanding of current events is important, even on tangentially related topics.
Interesting to see the verification of this video. I was curious about the context as the claims seemed a bit exaggerated. Glad to have the facts straight on this being an old Holi celebration, not a BJP victory rally.
It’s disappointing to see prominent media outlets sharing unverified information. Responsible journalism should prioritize accuracy over sensationalism, especially on topics that could inflame political tensions. Kudos to the fact-checkers for their work.
This story highlights the need for critical thinking and verification when consuming news, especially on social media. I appreciate the level-headed approach taken here to separate the facts from the fiction.
Absolutely. It’s crucial that we all remain vigilant and fact-check claims, rather than simply sharing or believing everything we see online. Maintaining a skeptical yet open mindset is key.