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India’s opposition party has alleged vote rigging in Bihar’s state elections, but viral video footage purporting to show post-election unrest actually originated in neighboring Nepal, fact-checkers have confirmed.
The misleading video, which shows a multi-story building engulfed in flames, has circulated widely on social media with captions claiming it depicts protesters setting fire to a BJP office in Patna, Bihar’s capital. One Instagram post shared on November 17 carried the inflammatory caption: “This is Bihar, Modi ji, you have chosen the wrong state to steal votes.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently celebrated what he called a “resounding” victory for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in Bihar, India’s poorest state with a population of 130 million. Political analysts widely view Bihar’s elections as a bellwether for national political sentiment and a test of Modi’s ability to translate India’s economic growth into benefits for its poorest citizens.
In the aftermath of the election, the opposition Congress party and its allies intensified allegations of electoral irregularities. They have repeatedly accused the Election Commission of India of favoring the ruling BJP alliance, claiming that large-scale manipulation—which they termed “vote theft”—enabled Modi’s coalition to secure a comfortable victory.
However, an investigation reveals the viral video has no connection to Bihar or the recent Indian elections. Reverse image searches traced the footage to an Instagram post by local Nepali news outlet “Flop Birgunj” from September 9, 2025. The original post accurately described the scene as “Arson at Birgunj Mayor Rajesh Man Singh’s residence.”
Romi Raja Samani, a journalist who runs the Instagram account and recorded the original footage, confirmed to AFP: “I recorded this video in September. It shows the Gen Z protests in Nepal. The house burning in the video belongs to our city Birgunj’s mayor Rajesh Man Singh. This has nothing to do with any political party in India.”
Birgunj, known as the “Gateway of Nepal,” is located in the southern part of the Himalayan nation, approximately 223 kilometers (139 miles) from Bihar. Visual comparison of the building in the video with photos from Mayor Singh’s official Facebook page confirms they are the same structure.
The footage actually documents part of Nepal’s devastating youth-led protests that erupted in September after the government imposed a social media ban. What began as demonstrations against the ban quickly escalated into a nationwide uprising fueled by anger over corruption, economic hardship, and rising violence.
The Nepali protests took a deadly turn when crowds set parts of the parliament building and Supreme Court on fire, ultimately forcing the government to collapse. According to police reports, at least 76 people died during two days of unrest, including 63 protesters, 10 escaped prisoners, and three police officers.
Despite the opposition’s allegations of electoral misconduct in Bihar, there have been no official reports of widespread protests in the eastern Indian state following the election results.
This is not the first time misinformation has circulated about the Bihar elections. Fact-checking organizations have previously identified and debunked several false claims related to the polls, highlighting the increasing challenge of verifying information during politically charged events.
As tensions between India’s ruling party and opposition continue, this incident underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity and context of videos circulating on social media, particularly during contentious political periods when misinformation can rapidly spread and potentially inflame existing tensions.
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12 Comments
The allegations of vote rigging in Bihar’s elections are serious, but the swift debunking of the viral video footage is a positive sign. It’s a good reminder that we must be vigilant about verifying information, especially when it comes to sensitive political issues that can easily become inflamed online.
The allegations of vote rigging in Bihar’s elections are concerning, but I’m glad to see the fact-checkers quickly identifying the misleading video as originating from Nepal rather than India. Verifying the facts is so important, especially around sensitive political issues that can easily become polarized.
It’s always troubling to see allegations of electoral irregularities, but it’s reassuring that the fact-checkers were able to debunk the misleading video footage in this case. Maintaining the integrity of the democratic process should be the top priority, regardless of political affiliations.
This story highlights the challenges of combating misinformation, especially around high-profile political events. While the opposition’s concerns about the Bihar elections deserve attention, the debunking of the viral video footage is a good reminder to be cautious about unverified claims circulating on social media.
You make a good point. Social media can be a breeding ground for misinformation, so it’s vital that people seek out reliable sources and fact-checking when assessing claims, especially related to elections. Maintaining the integrity of the democratic process should be the priority.
This seems like a complex political situation in Bihar. While allegations of irregularities should be taken seriously, it’s reassuring to see fact-checkers quickly identifying the misleading video as originating from Nepal rather than Bihar. Maintaining election integrity is so important for democracy.
I agree, it’s encouraging that the fact-checkers were able to debunk the false claims around the video footage. Spreading misinformation, especially around elections, can really undermine public trust. Verifying the facts is crucial.
Interesting to see the allegations of vote rigging in Bihar’s elections. It’s always important to verify the facts behind viral social media claims, especially around sensitive political issues. I’m curious to learn more about the opposition’s concerns and the findings of the fact-checkers.
Yes, it’s critical to separate misinformation from reality, especially when it comes to election integrity. The misleading video footage from Nepal is a good example of how quickly false narratives can spread online.
The opposition’s accusations of vote rigging in Bihar’s elections are concerning, but I’m glad to see the misinformation around the viral video being addressed. It’s important to rely on credible sources and fact-checking when it comes to sensitive political issues like this.
Absolutely. With the high stakes involved in elections, it’s critical that all sides respect the democratic process and refrain from spreading unverified claims. Fact-checking and transparency are essential for maintaining faith in the system.
This story highlights the ongoing challenge of combating misinformation, particularly around high-stakes political events. While the opposition’s concerns deserve to be heard, it’s crucial that all claims are thoroughly verified before being amplified. Fact-checking and transparency are essential for preserving trust in the democratic system.