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False Claim Circulating: Video of Muslim Balloon Seller Being Attacked Not from India
A video purportedly showing a man destroying balloons being sold by a young Muslim boy ahead of India’s Republic Day has been verified as false by fact-checkers. The incident, which was shared widely on social media as evidence of religious intolerance in “New India,” actually took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, not in India.
The 10-second clip shows a man aggressively attacking a young balloon seller wearing a skull cap on a busy street. In the footage, the man is seen bursting the child’s balloons while bystanders observe without intervention. The video was circulated on X (formerly Twitter) with captions connecting it to India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, with one post stating, “We should hold and strengthen the weary hands. We should not show our strength on the helpless! #NewIndia.”
Fact-checking organization NewsMeter conducted an investigation into the video’s origin and discovered a longer 16-second version that had been shared on Facebook on January 13 by a page called “Amazing Collection24” with Bengali-language captions.
Further investigation revealed a second video posted by the same Facebook page showing what appeared to be a staged resolution to the incident. In this follow-up footage, the same man who had destroyed the balloons is seen giving money to the boy. When examined closely, the currency visible in the video matches Bangladesh Taka, not Indian Rupees, providing additional evidence of the video’s true origin.
Both videos were traced to a YouTube channel called “@FOODBF,” suggesting they may have been created specifically to generate social media engagement. The dramatic nature of the incident—showing aggression followed by apparent compensation—points to a potentially scripted interaction rather than a genuine confrontation.
Investigators were able to pinpoint the exact location of the video by examining background elements. A food stall visible in the footage displays a banner reading “INDIN PANE PURE” with a contact number. When contacted, the stall owner confirmed the location as being opposite the ICT Towers, near the Dhaka Agargaon Election Building in Bangladesh’s capital. Google Maps Street View comparisons further verified this location by matching distinctive trees and buildings visible in the background.
The food stall owner noted that many YouTubers regularly film content at this location and, while she had heard about the balloon seller incident from her husband, neither could confirm whether it was authentic or staged for views.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation related to communal issues in South Asia, particularly around significant national events such as Republic Day. Social media users often share content without verifying its authenticity, allowing false narratives to spread rapidly and potentially inflame tensions.
The timing of the video’s circulation just before India’s Republic Day celebrations appears calculated to provoke emotional responses around religious coexistence in India, a politically sensitive topic. However, the video’s misrepresentation demonstrates the importance of critical analysis and fact-checking before accepting social media content at face value.
As digital literacy continues to develop across the region, fact-checking organizations play an increasingly vital role in countering false narratives and providing accurate context for viral content that might otherwise contribute to social division or misunderstanding.
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10 Comments
While the video is disturbing, I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to determine it did not actually occur in India. Spreading misinformation, even with good intentions, can do more harm than good. We should be careful about what we share online.
This is a good reminder of the need for rigorous fact-checking, especially on social media. While the video is concerning, I appreciate the diligence in verifying its origin. Jumping to conclusions or spreading misinformation, even unintentionally, can do more harm than good. We should strive for accuracy.
This is a good example of why we need thorough fact-checking before sharing concerning videos or claims online. I’m glad the investigators were able to verify the origin of this footage. We have to be vigilant against misinformation, even if it seems to fit a particular narrative. Staying grounded in facts is key.
This seems like a troubling incident, but I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to confirm it happened in Bangladesh, not India. It’s important we don’t let unverified videos fuel further division or intolerance. Sticking to the facts is crucial.
This is troubling if the video is confirmed to be from Bangladesh, not India. We should be vigilant against misinformation that could stoke religious tensions. Fact-checking is important to understand the full context.
Fact-checking is so important, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like this. I’m glad the details were investigated thoroughly. Even if a video seems to fit a certain narrative, we have to be careful not to spread unverified claims that could inflame tensions. Maintaining objectivity is key.
I appreciate the diligent investigation by the fact-checkers to verify the origin of this video. It’s critical we don’t jump to conclusions or spread unverified claims, even if they fit a certain narrative. Maintaining facts is key.
I appreciate the diligent fact-checking work here. It’s easy for videos like this to spread rapidly without proper context. While the incident is disturbing, I’m glad the origin has been verified. We need to be vigilant against misinformation, even if it aligns with certain narratives.
I appreciate the diligence in verifying the origin of this video. While the incident is disturbing, it’s important we don’t jump to conclusions or spread unverified claims, even if they align with certain narratives. Fact-checking is crucial to maintain objectivity and avoid further inflaming tensions.
I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to confirm the video did not actually occur in India. It’s crucial we don’t let unverified claims, even if they align with certain narratives, spread without proper context. Maintaining objectivity and sticking to the facts is so important, especially on sensitive topics.