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A video circulating widely on social media purportedly shows a man defacing a poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest over the crash of a Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow. However, an investigation reveals this narrative is entirely fabricated, with the timing of the video conclusively disproving any connection to the aviation tragedy.
The video in question shows an individual blackening the face of Prime Minister Modi on what appears to be an official government poster. It quickly gained traction online alongside claims linking the act to public outrage over the Tejas jet crash that claimed a pilot’s life during an aerial display in Dubai.
Fact-checking efforts, including reverse image searches of key frames from the footage, traced the video to posts shared by Haryana Youth Congress State President Nishit Kataria on Instagram on November 20, 2025. The posts carried the caption: “Look what’s happening all over Haryana.”
The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Haryana Youth Congress also shared the identical clip on the same day with the message: “Those who blackened the face of democracy by relying on vote theft are now having their faces blackened…”
What makes this timeline significant is that the Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas aircraft crash occurred a day later, on November 21, 2025, during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow. The IAF confirmed the incident through an official statement on their X account that day. This chronological sequence definitively establishes that the video could not have been a reaction to the aviation disaster.
Further investigation by regional newspaper The Tribune identified the location of the incident. According to their report, the defaced poster featured PM Narendra Modi alongside Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and was promoting the Gita Jayanti Mahotsav. The billboard was mounted on a foot overbridge along National Highway-44, near Barsat Road in Panipat district.
The context of the incident appears to be related to local political tensions in Haryana rather than any national or international issue. Though the exact motivation behind the act of defacement remains unclear, the timing and location firmly place it within the sphere of regional political dissent.
The false narrative connecting the video to the Tejas crash highlights a growing pattern of misinformation where unrelated incidents are opportunistically linked to major news events to generate heightened emotional responses and increased engagement on social media platforms.
The Tejas fighter jet, India’s indigenously developed light combat aircraft, has been a symbol of the country’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The accident in Dubai represented a significant setback for India’s efforts to showcase its aerospace capabilities at one of the world’s premier aviation exhibitions.
While the investigation into the actual causes of the Tejas crash continues, the misattribution of the video demonstrates how quickly false narratives can spread during moments of national concern, potentially inflaming public sentiment and diverting attention from substantive discussions about safety, accountability, and technical evaluations.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information, particularly during times of crisis or tragedy, when emotions run high and the public seeks explanations and accountability.
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13 Comments
While the Tejas jet crash was a tragic incident, this video appears to have no connection to it. Spreading unsubstantiated claims only serves to muddy the waters and distract from the real issues.
Exactly. We should focus on the facts and avoid getting drawn into manufactured controversies that only serve to polarize the discussion.
This is a concerning example of how misinformation can spread quickly online, especially around sensitive political issues. Fact-checking is crucial to prevent the proliferation of false narratives.
Agreed. It’s important to be vigilant and verify claims, especially when they seem designed to provoke strong emotional reactions.
The timing of this video is highly suspect and raises serious questions about the motives behind its creation and dissemination. We need to be vigilant in identifying and debunking such blatant attempts at misinformation.
This is a concerning example of how social media can be used to spread disinformation and stoke political tensions. It’s a reminder of the importance of fact-checking and media literacy in the digital age.
This is a troubling case of how social media can be used to manipulate public opinion and sow discord. It’s a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and verifying information before sharing it.
While the Tejas jet crash was a serious incident, this video appears to be an unrelated attempt to capitalize on the event for political purposes. We should be wary of such tactics and focus on the facts.
The timing of this video is highly suspicious. It’s concerning to see how quickly misinformation can spread, especially when it plays into existing political tensions. We need to be more vigilant in separating fact from fiction.
Agreed. This is a prime example of the need for robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts to combat the proliferation of disinformation.
Interesting that this alleged video predates the actual Tejas jet crash at Dubai Airshow. Seems like a clear attempt to manufacture outrage and spread disinformation. I wonder if there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
Definitely worth looking into further. The timing of this video raises a lot of questions about the true motivations behind it.
While the Tejas jet crash was a tragic event, this video seems to be an unrelated attempt to exploit the situation for political gain. We should be wary of such tactics and focus on the facts rather than getting drawn into manufactured controversies.