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This ancient sculpture in Aihole Durga temple does not depict lord Varaha lifting the spherical-shaped earth on its tusk - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 13, 2023
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it is a 1000-year-old sculpture depicting lord Varaha lifting the spherical-shaped earth on his tusk. The post claims that Hindu Vedic scriptures had discovered the shape of the earth hundreds of years before Galileo had concluded the shape of the earth was spherical. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of a 1000-year-old sculpture depicting lord Varaha lifting the spherical-shaped earth on his tusk.
Fact: The photo shared in the post shows the lord Varaha sculpture carved inside the 8th century Chalukyas-built Durga temple in Aihole, Karnataka. The ancient sculpture depicts lord Varaha lifting the Shankha (conch) on its tusk and Bhudevi (represented as a female goddess) in one of his hands. The sculpture does not show lord Varaha lifting spherical-shaped earth on its tusk. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, the same photo was found published on the ‘Wikimedia Commons’ website, with the description, “8th century Durga Surya temple Varaha avatar of Vishnu with Bhudevi, Aihole Hindu temples monuments”. The same photo was found published on the ‘Alamy’ and ‘iStock’ image-sharing websites by mentioning that the ancient sculpture was from the Durga temple at Aihole in Karnataka’s Bagalkote district. The temple was believed to be constructed by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8 century.
When we searched for further sources, we found a clearer image of the Varaha sculpture carved inside the Durga temple in Aihole. On observing the photo carefully, one could see that the carving depicts lord Varaha, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, lifting the Shankha (conch) on its tusk, and Bhudevi (represented as a female goddess) on one of his hands.
The carving of a female goddess on one of the hands of Varaha represents Bhudevi, a Hindu goddess symbolized as the personification of the earth. A modern sculpture built in the Shree Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Balasore district can be seen here. A fact-check article published related to this modern Varaha sculpture in Odisha’s Shree Jagannath temple can be seen here. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that the sculpture in Aihole’s Durga temple does not depict lord Varaha lifting the spherical shaped-earth structure on its tusk.
To sum it up, the sculpture in Aihole Durga temple does not depict lord Varaha lifting the spherical-shaped earth on its tusk.


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This article reporting drastic reduction in Petrol and Diesel prices across the country is a clickbait article - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 19, 2022
A post while sharing an article published by the Haryana-based ‘indiabreaking.com’ website claims that the prices of petrol and diesel had been drastically reduced to Rs.75/ltr and Rs.70/ltr across the country. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: An article reporting the huge drop in Petrol and Diesel prices across the country.
Fact: The article shared in the post doesn’t mention anything about the reduction in petrol and diesel prices. No such drastic reduction in Petrol and Diesel prices was announced recently in the country. As on 19 October 2022, the Retail Selling Price (RSP) of Petrol in Delhi is 96.72 Rs/ltr and the RSP of Diesel in Delhi was 89.62 Rs/ltr. The current RSPs of Petrol and Diesel in Haryana are 97.51 Rs/ltr and 90.35 Rs/ltr. The article shared in the post is a clickbait article created for attracting visitors to the webpage. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Firstly, the article shared in the post doesn’t mention anything about the reduction in petrol and diesel prices across the country. Further, on searching for the current prices of petrol and diesel in the country, we found the petrol and diesel buildup prices on the official website of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). They can be seen here and here. According to the details provided on the IOCL website, on 16 October 2022, the effective Retail Selling Price (RSP) of Petrol in Delhi was 96.72 Rs/Ltr and the RSP of Diesel in Delhi was 89.62 Rs/ltr. The Retail Selling Prices of Petrol and Diesel across major metropolitan cities in the past week was found on the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) website.
Also, according to the data provided on the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) website, the current Retail Selling Price of Petrol at Ambala Cantt. town in Haryana is 97.51 Rs/ltr, and the RSP of Diesel is 90.35 Rs/ltr in Haryana. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that there has been no such drastic reduction in petrol and diesel prices as the title of clickbait article suggests.
To sum it up, this article reporting drastic reduction in petrol and diesel prices is a clickbait article.

source: news-factly

created: October 19, 2022

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Sai Krishna Muthyanolla


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This artist who seems to be drawing 15 portraits simultaneously has no Guinness World Record in her name - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 28, 2022
A video is being widely shared on social media with a claim that Noorjahan, an artist, has a Guinness World Record in her name for drawing 15 portraits simultaneously with one hand. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Artist Noorjahan has a Guinness World Record in her name for drawing 15 portraits simultaneously with one hand.
Fact: Artist Noorjahan does not have any Guinness World Record in her name. Ajay Meena, who first posted the video on social media, has clarified to FACTLY that there is no Guinness World Record in her name, but he said that she really drew 15 portraits simultaneously with one hand. He also clarified that it was not a one-day affair and Noorjahan drew the portraits over a course of one month by working on them daily for a few hours. However, there are doubts about the possibility of such a feat and FACTLY could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. As she did not have any Guinness World Record in her name, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When we searched on the ‘Guinness World Records’ website for Noorjahan’s name, we could not find any record in her name.
The same video was found to be uploaded first by ‘Ajay Meena’ on his page, much before Noorjahan published the video on her YouTube channel. Also, in her video, Noorjahan thanked Ajay Meena for his support in providing her with a platform. When we contacted Ajay Meena, he clarified to FACTLY that she does not have any Guinness World Record in her name, but he reiterated that she really drew 15 portraits simultaneously. He also said that he did not mention anywhere about Noorjahan’s name in the Guinness World Records in his video. He said he just highlighted that it is a world record as she was the first one to do such a feat. He said that they are currently trying to register her feat in some records. However, one can find the logo of ‘Guinness World Record’ at the beginning of the video posted on  ‘Ajay Meena’ page.
Ajay Meena has also clarified that it was not a one-day affair and Noorjahan drew the portraits over a course of one month by working on them daily around for a few hours. However, one can observe that she wore the same dress during the entire timelapse video. Further, many people doubt the possibility of such a feat. Some of the comments and videos regarding such a debate can be found here, here, here, here, and here. FACTLY could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
To sum it up, artist Noorjahan does not have any Guinness World Record in her name.

created: October 28, 2022


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This artwork does not depict the multiculturalism in Europe and it did not win any amateur art contest in the Netherlands - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 5, 2023
A photo of an artwork purportedly depicting the current era of multiculturalism in Europe is being shared on social media claiming that the artwork had won the amateur art contest conducted in the Netherlands. The artwork depicts a man, with a rope tied around his neck, watering a plant so that he could hang himself from it when it grows. The purported artwork represents the person and the plant with Europe and Islam spreading in the continent respectively. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Artwork depicting multiculturalism in Europe that won the amateur art contest in the Netherlands.
Fact: The artwork was created by German visual artist Friedrich Kunath in 2010 for an exhibition at the Andrea Rosen Gallery in New York. Friedrich Kunath created this artwork or painting as part of his collection, “Tropical Depression”. The artwork does not depict multiculturalism in Europe, and it has nothing to do with any amateur contest in the Netherlands. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, the same photo was found in a collection of images published on the ‘Contemporary Art’ Blogspot in 2010. The Blogspot described it as the artworks created by Friedrich Kunath for an exhibition at the Andrea Rosen Gallery in New York in 2010. Many social media users posted the artwork by crediting it to Friedrich Kunath.
When searched for further sources, we found the artworks created by Friedrich Kunath for the solo exhibition at the Andrea Rosen Gallery in 2010. Friedrich Kunath, a German visual artist, created this artwork as part of his collection “Tropical Depression”.
Describing Friedrich Kunath’s Tropical Depression exhibition at their gallery, Andrea Rosen Gallery website in a press statement said, “Tropical Depression, Kunath’s third solo exhibition at the gallery, stages a watery world and shows Kunath’s unique ability to wrest together normally contradictory notions of romanticism and despair, and irony and sincerity, to fill the gallery with a mood, almost the way a scent invisibly permeates a room and alters one’s perception.” The artwork does not show multiculturalism in Europe, and it has nothing to do with any amateur contest in the Netherlands.
To sum it up, this artwork does not depict multiculturalism in Europe, and it did not win any amateur art contests in the Netherlands.


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This astronaut sculpture was added to the centuries-old church during the renovation works in the 1990s - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 24, 2021
A photo is being shared on social media with a claim that it shows an astronaut statue (with air tubes and a helmet) in a church that was built in the 1600s. In the post, it is also being claimed that experts have been unable to explain the presence of a modern astronaut statue in a church which is around 400 years old.  Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo shows an astronaut statue in a church built in the 1600s. Experts are unable to explain it.
Fact: The sculpture in the photo is related to the New Cathedral of Salamanca, which was built between 1513 and 1733, in Spain. While the church is centuries old, the astronaut sculpture was added during the renovation works in the 1990s. There is no mystery involved as the Church’s website itself mentions regarding the addition of astronaut sculpture in the 1990s. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When the posted photo was run through Google Reverse Image Search, several similar images were found in the search results. It was found that the sculpture in the photo is related to the New Cathedral of Salamanca, which was built between 1513 and 1733, in Spain.
On the website of the Salamanca Cathedral, it can be read that the astronaut sculpture was added during the renovation works in the 1990s. There is no mystery involved as the Church’s website itself mentions regarding the addition of astronaut sculpture in the 1990s. So, the church is centuries old but not the astronaut sculpture. The same can be read in multiple news articles.
Also, the description of the astronaut sculpture photo on multiple stock images websites mentions that the sculpture was added in the 1990s.
Previously, when the same photo went viral with a claim that the astronaut sculpture is related to 2000-year-old Panchavarnaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu, FACTLY has debunked it and written a fact-check article, which can be read here.
To sum it up, the astronaut sculpture was added to the centuries-old church during the renovation works in the 1990s.


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This banner appealing people to refrain from offering namaz on roads is from 2019 - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 28, 2022
In light of Agra police filing cases against at least 150 people for offering namaz on public roads, a social media post accompanying an image of two men fixing a banner appealing people not to offer namaz on roads is being widely circulated. The post claims that the  banner was an outcome of the recent police action in Agra. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Banner requesting to refrain from offering namaz on road was put up in Meerut following the police action in Agra.
Fact: This banner was setup outside a mosque in Meerut back in 2019. The banner was setup following a police initiative. Few news articles published the same image in their reports related to the police initiative back then. Thus, this banner has nothing to do with Agra police’s action of filing charges against 150 persons, for offering namaz on road. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
It is true that Agra police had booked at least 150 members for offering namaz on roads. However, the banner shared in the viral post was not put up following the Agra police action.
Reverse image search of the viral photo led us to a tweet by Meerut police, that shared the same image. The tweet dates back to August 2019 and the translation of the caption associated to the image reads ‘Imam Haji Akhtar put up banners at the mosque with Patel pavilion’.
पटेल मण्डप वाली मस्जिद पर इमाम हाजी अख्तर ने बैनर लगाए #uppolice @dgpup @adgzonemeerut @igrangemeerut @Uppolice pic.twitter.com/m6NlJOxLVd
Taking a cue from the Meerut police tweet, Google search with relevant keywords yielded a couple of news reports related to banners appealing people to refrain from offering Friday prayers on roads in Meerut (here & here). These reports published the same viral images and are published in August 2019.
As per the news reports, following the initiative of Meerut police, Muslims refrained from offering prayers on roads and Masjid committees have put up banners appealing people in this regard. Thus, it can be concluded that the viral image shows a banner that was put up in 2019.
To sum it up, this banner appealing people to refrain from offering namaz on roads is from 2019.


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This banner forbidding BJP workers from entering the police station was not put up by police officials - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 1, 2022
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it is a banner placed outside a police station forbidding BJP workers from entering the station. The photo shows a police station in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav had also tweeted about this banner with a similar context. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Banner placed outside a police station in Uttar Pradesh that forbids BJP workers from entering the station.
Fact: The banner shown in the photo was placed outside the Medical College police station in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. BJP workers displayed this banner outside the Medical College police station over the denial of an undue favour by the police in a property dispute. Meerut Police arrested six BJP workers involved in putting up this objectionable banner outside the police station. This banner was not put up by Police officials. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When we searched to find the details of this banner using relevant keywords, we found that the ‘Indian Express’ had published an article reporting the details of this banner placed outside a police station. ‘Indian Express’ reported that Meerut Police detained six BJP workers for allegedly putting up an objectionable banner outside the Medical College police station in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. This incident reportedly took place on 27 May 2022.
According to the article, the origin of the matter was a property dispute involving a family in which the BJP workers got involved and created a ruckus outside the police station. Meerut SSP Prabhakar Chaudhary spoke to the ‘Indian Express’ and said, “They were trying to put pressure on the in-charge to seek undue favour but when it was denied, they created a scene”. Reporting the complete details of the incident, several other news agencies have also published articles. A few of them can be seen here and here.
Meerut Police through a tweet issued a clarification regarding this objectionable banner placed outside the Medical College police station. Meerut Police clarified that the banner was put up by anti-social elements to tarnish the image of the police and informed that they have arrested six persons involved in the incident.
#MeerutPolice थाना मेडिकल पर लगे बैनर की वायरल वीडियो के संबंध में मीडिया ब्रीफ नोट।#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/BqFUoOrKVW
To sum it up, this banner forbidding BJP workers from entering a police station was put by BJP workers, not by the police officials.


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This BSF jawan with a big moustache who was seen making ‘jiyo aur jeene do’ comments in the video is alive - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 25, 2022
A collage of a photo and a video is being shared on social media claiming that the BSF jawan who was seen making ‘jiyo aur jeene do’ comments in the video was martyred at the India border. The post shared a picture of a dead body in a coffin and a video showing a BSF jawan with a big moustache saying ‘jiyo aur jeene do’ (live and let live) while explaining the enemy threats at the border. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of a BSF jawan with a big moustache who was martyred recently at the India border.
Fact: The man seen in the photo is different from the one in the video. The photo shared in the picture shows the dead body of Rajender Singh, an Indian army soldier who was martyred during the terrorist attack in September 2019. The man seen in the video is Virendra Singh, a BSF Jawan who is alive and working at the Gede Border between West Bengal and Bangladesh. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Photo:
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, we found that several Facebook users have shared the same photo in September 2019, describing it as the dead body of Indian army soldier Rajendra Singh Bhati. A few of those posts can be seen here and here. When we searched for further sources using these keywords on the internet, a video showing similar visuals was found published by a YouTube user on 30 September 2019. This YouTube user described it as the funeral procession of martyr Rajendra Singh Bhati.
Rajendra Singh Bhati, a resident of Mohangarh village in Jaisalmer district, was serving in the 15 Rajput Regiment in the Ramban area of Jammu and Kashmir in September 2019. On 28 September 2019, Rajendra Singh Bhati was martyred while fighting the terrorists at the Ramban town in Jammu and Kashmir. Several news websites published articles and videos reporting the death and the funeral procession of Rajendra Singh Bhati. They can be seen here, here and here.
Video:
On reverse image search of the screenshots of the video shared in the post, videos with similar visuals are found posted recently by a few Facebook users. They can be seen here and here. These users described him as a BSF Jawan working at the Gede border in West Bengal. A Facebook user shared the same video stating him as BSF Jawan Virendra Kumar Singh posted at the India-Bangladesh Gede border. This Facebook user informed that he is alive and asked people not to believe in fake news spreading about this video circulated on social media.
When we searched further using relevant keywords on the internet, a video showing similar visuals of a BSF jawan with a big moustache was found published by a YouTube channel named ‘Prosun Vlogs’. From 8:56 minutes of the video, we could the jawan saying ‘Jiyo aur Jeene Do’ and other statements as shared in the post. This blogger shot this video while he visited the Gede border on Independence Day.
‘India Today’ contacted the BSF spokesperson for further clarification regarding the news of the death of this jawan shown in the video. Speaking to ‘India Today’, a BSF spokesperson confirmed that the jawan seen in the video is  BSF constable Virender Singh and clarified that he is alive and currently posted in the Malda district of West Bengal.
To sum it up, an unrelated old photo of martyred Rajendra Singh Bhati is shared as the picture of BSF jawan with a big moustache who made ‘jiyo aur jeene do’ comments in the video.


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The boy in this photo was arrested for murder, not for stealing - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 23, 2020
The photo of a boy convicted in a judicial court is being shared on social media claiming him as the 15-year-old boy who was caught while stealing bread and cheese for his mother from a store. In the post, it is claimed that the judge imposed a penalty of $1000 on Store administration for being cruel at the boy. Let’s verify the claims made in the post.
Claim:  A 15-year-old boy arrested for stealing bread and butter in a store.
Fact: The boy in the photo was arrested on the charges of murder, not on the charges of robbery. A 12-year-old Christian Fernandez was arrested on the charges of murdering his half brother David in Jacksonville, during the year 2011. He was in the custody till 2018. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, a similar photo was found in an article published by the ‘Florida Times-Union’ news website on ‘03 January 2012’. In the article, they mentioned this boy as the 12-year-old Christian Juan Fernandez who was accused in the first-order murder charges on killing his 2-year-old half-brother. It is reported that Christian half-brother David Galarraga died from a fractured skull and bleeding brain at his home during 2011.
On searching for more information using these keywords, a video showing similar visuals was found in an article published by ‘Fox News’ news website on ‘19 October 2011’. In the video, it is mentioned that a 12-year-old Christian Fernandez was charged as an adult for the murder of his brother in Jacksonville, Florida. Christian Fernandez is prosecuted on the charges of killing his 2-year-old half-brother David violently by shoving him to the bookshelf causing severe skull injury and massive internal bleeding. It is reported that Christian Fernandez is the youngest person ever to be charged as an adult with murder in Jacksonville.
According to the article published by ‘News4JAX’ news website, Christian Fernandez was released from jail on ‘15 January 2018’ after being in the custody since 2013. He is said to be released after prosecutors and a circuit judge agreed to temporarily suspend special conditions of his probation.
To sum it up, the boy in the photo was arrested on the charges of murder, not on charges of robbery.

created: October 23, 2020


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This breaking news screenshot of Yogi Adityanath threatening to leave BJP is morphed - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 14, 2022
A screenshot of what looks like breaking news on ‘K News’ is being shared widely on social media, with the claim that UP CM Yogi Adityanath has threatened to leave the BJP and join the SP if Amit Shah talks of changing the CM. Let’s fact-check the
Claim: UP CM Yogi Adityanath has threatened to leave the BJP and join the SP if Amit Shah talks of changing the CM.
Fact: There is no evidence of UP CM making such a statement. The screenshot of ‘K News’ breaking news is morphed and does not resemble the usual breaking news template of the channel. The channel has also confirmed on Twitter that it did not telecast any such news and that the screenshot is morphed. Hence the claim is FALSE.
When searched in Google with relevant keywords to check if UP CM Yogi Adityanath has made any such comments as mentioned in the post, we could not any reports stating that UP CM Yogi Adityanath has threatened to leave the BJP and join the SP if Amit Shah talks of changing the CM. Had CM Adityanath made any such statements multiple media outlets would have reported this, but there were no such reports.
On observing the screenshot shared in the post, one could notice the logo ‘KNEWS’ at the top right corner. Knews is a news channel based out of Kanpur. When searched if the news outlet had reported any such news with regard to UP CM Yogi Adityanath, no reports were found on their website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts. But we have found a tweet made by them on 12 January 2022, clarifying that the viral screenshot that is being shared on their template is fake, and that they have nothing to with the said news.
Knews  दर्शकों बताना चाहता है कि उपरोक्त खबर जो Knews के नाम से वायरल हो रही है Knews का इस खबर से कोई सरोकार नहीं है इस फेक खबर से एक सम्मानीय चैनल की छवि को क्षति पहुंचाने वाले दंडनीय कार्रवाई के पात्र हैं. जो उन पर की जा रही है @UPGovt @Uppolice @dgpup @BJP4UP @CyberCellLKO pic.twitter.com/mfl55P7Pug
To sum it up, a morphed screenshot of ‘Knews’ channel is shared as UP CM Yogi Adityanath has threatened to leave the BJP and join the SP if Amit Shah talks of changing the CM

created: January 14, 2022


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This bridge in Japan was not constructed in 24 hours - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 16, 2019
An image of a bridge is being shared widely on Facebook with the claim that it was constructed by Japan in just 24 hours after it was destroyed by a natural disaster. Let’s try to analyze the claim.
Image of the bridge constructed by Japan in 24 hours.
Fact: The bridge is a part of National Highway-305, and is present in the stretch of Akasaka-cho and Ikura-cho in Fukui City of Fukui Province, Japan. This entire project took about 4 months for completion and the construction of the bridge itself took almost 2 months. So, the claim that the bridge is constructed in 24 hours is FALSE.
When the photo in the post was subjected to reverse image search technique, a search result will lead to an article of ‘DKN.TV’ that had the same image. From the article, it was known that in July 2018, the landslides caused due to heavy rains in Fukui City have blocked some stretch of a Highway-305 for 4 months and was later opened for traffic after the construction of the bridge.
From article of ‘Fukui Shimbun’ published on 1st November 2018, it was known that after the landslide blocked the Highway-305, about 10 kms of the surrounding area of this point was closed, and of this, about 5.1 km between Tamagawa and Akasaka Town, the rocks and stones along the way were cleared there. And then a temporary road was constructed at Ikura Town in 2 months by raising iron posts to the seaside and bypassing approximately the 80-meter section of the highway that was blocked by the rock and sand deposits due to the landslide. The article even has the October 31st photo that shows traffic flow resuming after 4 months due to the opening of the bridge. So, from the above information, it is clear that for the completion of the entire project i.e., from the start of the project to its construction, it took almost 4 months and the construction of the bridge itself took almost 2 months.
The ‘Fukui Shimbun’ article published on 9th August 2018, has information about how Fukui Province officials are considering a plan for constructing a bridge on Highway-305 that was blocked due to landslide sediments.
And a tweet on 30th October 2018, by another Japanese news agency ‘Yomiuri Shimbun’ has the information that the National Highway-305 blocked due to the landslides in July is set to open for traffic on October 31st through the newly constructed ‘U’ shaped bridge. The tweet even had aerial view photos of that newly constructed bridge.
「#コ」クドウ #305号（福井市赤坂町－居倉町間）復活。#越前海岸沿いを走る」#国道３０５号 は７月の #西日本豪雨 による土砂崩れで通行止めでした。このたび #コの字型 の #仮設橋 で31日午後4時に開通予定です（29日、本社ヘリから、川崎公太撮影） 記事→https://t.co/woCioJTilQ pic.twitter.com/8iI3Jd1You
To conclude, the bridge in Japan wasn’t constructed in 24 hours. That entire project took about 4 months for completion and the construction of the bridge itself took almost 2 months.
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created: October 16, 2019


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This ‘British Herald’ magazine with Narendra Modi cover was published in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic in India - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 15, 2021
An image of the ‘British Herald’ magazine with PM Narendra Modi’s cover is being shared on social media claiming that UK’s leading magazine ‘British Herald’ had recently described Narendra Modi as the “World’s Most Powerful Person”. This post claims that the British Herald news portal had made this fabulous description recognising Narendra Modi’s leadership in controlling the COVID-19 crisis and increasing vaccine production in India. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: UK’s leading magazine ‘British Herald’ had recently recognised PM Narendra Modi as the “World’s Most Powerful Person” in the context of COVID-19.
Fact: The photo shared in the post is an old one. British Herald website had published this magazine cover based on their ‘World’s Most Powerful Person 2019’ reader’s poll. The ‘British Herald’ is an obscure website that is being run by a Kerala-based businessman, Ansif Ashraf. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, a similar photo was found tweeted by the ‘Republic TV’ news channel on ‘21 June 2019’. ‘Republic TV’ reported that Indian PM Narendra Modi was chosen as the ‘World’s Most Powerful Person’ in a readers poll conducted by the British Herald. Reporting this information, several news websites including DD News have published videos and articles in 2019. They can be seen here and here.
PM Narendra Modi chosen as World's Most Powerful person of 2019 by British Herald, beats Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and othershttps://t.co/jKjemKB3qn
On 23 May 2019, after the BJP’s victory in the 2019 General Elections, the ‘British Herald’ news portal tweeted this image and congratulated Narendra Modi for his victory. Reporting the details of this magazine cover, ‘British Herald’ published an article on 16 June 2019. This article reported that India PM Narendra Modi was chosen as the ‘World’s Most Powerful Person 2019’ in a readers’ poll. According to the article, more than 25 world leaders were nominated for this poll and four leaders were selected for the final poll. These four leaders were Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and Narendra Modi. PM Narendra Modi, with 30.9% of votes had reportedly won this poll and was featured on the ‘British Herald’ magazine cover page published on 15 July 2019.
Multiple news websites reported ‘British Herald’ as an obscure website with only a few readers. They can be seen here and here.  These websites reported that a Kerala businessman named Ansif Ashraf is currently running this British Herald news portal. Also, no reputed international news organisation had reported this poll result recognising Narendra Modi as the ‘World’s Most Powerful Person’.
To sum it up, this ‘British Herald’ magazine cover page with Narendra Modi’s photo was not published  post-COVID-19 in India.

created: September 15, 2021


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This bullet in the utensil photo is not linked to the Delhi Chalo farmers' protest. - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 26, 2024
Social media is flooded with posts about the Delhi Chalo farmers’ protest of 2024. Reportedly, a man named Shubhkaran Singh lost his life during a police clash. In this context, a post showcasing a picture of a cooking utensil pierced by a bullet is being shared, claiming it to be from the Delhi Chalo farmers’ protest. Let’s verify this claim through this fact-check article.
Claim: This photo of a bullet lodged in a cooking utensil is from the Delhi Chalo farmers’ protest of 2024.
Fact: The viral photo is not related to the 2024 farmers’ protest. Instead, the picture originated from Bangladesh and was taken during a cross-border firing incident at Shahparir Dwip and Saint Martin in Teknaf. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
To check the veracity of the claim, we performed a reverse image search on the viral photo, which led us to several news reports from Bangladesh (here, here and here) containing the same image.
These news reports from February 2024 provided a backdrop of the border districts of Myanmar witnessing a firing incident. Dhaka Mail reported that “Bullets and mortar shells fired from Myanmar often hit the houses across the border. Between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, at least three residential houses on the border were hit by mortar shells.”
A report by ’24onbd’ containing the viral photo added that during a heavy gunfire and shelling incident in ‘Teknaf’ at the Bangladesh border, a bullet struck a cooking utensil. This reveals that the viral photo is unrelated to the Delhi Chalo farmers’ protest. A few more news reports on this border firing can be read here and here.
To sum up, the viral photo of a bullet lodged in a cooking utensil is not from the Delhi Chalo farmers’ protest but from a border conflict incident in Bangladesh.

created: February 26, 2024


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This Cake cutting video is from Congress party’s Foundation day, not of Manmohan Singh’s birthday - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 28, 2019
A post with a video of Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh cutting a cake is being shared on social media with the claim that Manmohan Singh is not even free to cut his own birthday cake. Let’s try to analyze the extent of authenticity in this post.
Video of Rahul Gandhi cutting Manmohan Singh’s birthday cake.
Fact: The cake that was cut by Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh in the video was not on Manmohan Singh’s birthday, but on the occasion of Congress party’s foundation day. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When the screenshots of the video were searched on Google using reverse image technique, photos of Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh cutting a cake were found in a tweet by ‘ANI’ in December 2018. From that tweet, it is understood that Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh were cutting cake on the occasion of Congress party’s foundation day (December 28). An article published by ‘NDTV’ regarding this event can be found here.
Delhi: Former PM Dr.Manmohan Singh and Congress President Rahul Gandhi cut a cake on #CongressFoundationDay pic.twitter.com/n5OimcDvC7
To sum it up, the video of Congress party’s foundation day celebration is being shared as that of Rahul Gandhi cutting Manmohan Singh’s birthday cake.
Did you watch our new Episode of the DECODE series?

created: September 28, 2019


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This chowk with ‘mace, bow and arrow’ sculpture is in Vadodara, not in Ayodhya - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 9, 2020
A photo is being shared on social media with a claim that it shows a newly constructed chowk with ‘mace, bow and arrow’ sculpture in Ayodhya. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Photo of a newly constructed chowk with ‘mace, bow and arrow’ sculpture in Ayodhya.
Fact: The photo is not related to Ayodhya (UP). It shows the sculpture at ‘Gada Circle’ in Vadodara (Gujarat). Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When the image was run through Google Reverse Image Search, a tweet with the same photo and claim was found in the search results. A user has commented below the tweet that the photo is related to ‘Gada Circle’ in Vadodara (Gujarat). So, when searched on the internet, it was confirmed that the photo shows a sculpture in Vadodara, not in Ayodhya. The Google Street View of the location can be seen here. The street view was captured in November 2016. So, it was not setup recently.
To sum it up, the chowk with ‘mace, bow and arrow’ sculpture in the photo is in Vadodara, not in Ayodhya.
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భగవద్గీత పుట్టిన భూమిగా వర్ణిస్తూ పోప్ భారత దేశపు మట్టిని తలపై జల్లుకున్నాడంటూ షేర్ చేస్తున్న ఈ సమాచారంలో వాస్తవం లేదు - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 21, 2023
పోప్ అంతటివాడే విమానం కిందకు దిగుతూనే ఆఖరి మెట్టు మీద నిలబడి భారత దేశపు మట్టిని తీసి తల మీద చల్లుకున్నాడంటూ సోషల్ మీడియాలో ఒక పోస్ట్ బాగా షేర్ అవుతోంది. భగవద్గీత పుట్టిన భూమి, ధర్మ క్షేత్రమైన కురుక్షేత్రం వెలిసిన భూమి, అటువంటి పరమపావనమైన భూమి కాబట్టే తిన్నగా కాలు పెట్టకుండా మట్టి తలపై జల్లుకొని కిందకు దిగుతున్నానని పోప్ పేర్కొన్నాడంటూ ఈ పోస్టులో తెలుపుతున్నారు. ఆ పోస్టులో ఎంతవరకు నిజముందో చూద్దాం.
క్లెయిమ్: భగవద్గీత, కురుక్షేత్రల జన్మభూమిగా వర్ణిస్తూ పోప్ భారత దేశపు మట్టిని తలపై జల్లుకున్నారు.
ఫాక్ట్ (నిజం): 1986లో పోప్ జాన్ పాల్ II భారత దేశ పర్యటనలో భాగంగా ఢిల్లీ విమానాశ్రయంలో దిగిన వెంటనే మోకాలిపై కుర్చీని భారత నేలని ముద్దాడారు. అయితే, పోప్ జాన్ పాల్ II సెంట్రల్ అమెరికా, అల్బేనియా మరియు అనేక ఇతర దేశాలను పర్యటించినప్పుడు కూడా ఇదే విధంగా అక్కడి నేలను ముద్దాడారు. ఢిల్లీ విమానాశ్రయంలో తనకు లభించిన ఘనస్వాగతానికి సంబంధించి జాన్ పాల్-II విడుదల చేసిన ప్రకటనలో భగవద్గీత గురించి గాని, కురుక్షేత్ర యుద్ధం గురించి గాని ఎక్కడ ప్రస్తావించలేదు. కావున, పోస్టులో చేస్తున్న క్లెయిమ్ తప్పుదోవ పట్టించే విధంగా ఉంది.
పోస్టులో షేర్ చేసిన వీడియో యొక్క స్క్రీన్ షాట్లని రివర్స్ ఇమేజ్ సర్చ్ చేసి వెతికితే, పోప్ నేలపై కూర్చొని ఉన్న ఫోటోని ‘ఫోటో షెల్టర్’ వెబ్సైటులో పబ్లిష్ చేసినట్టు తెలిసింది. 1986లో పోప్ జాన్ పాల్-II భారత్ పర్యటన సందర్భంగా ఢిల్లీ విమానాశ్రయంలో తీసిన ఫోటోని అని వివరణలో తెలిపారు.
ఈ ఫోటోకి సంబంధించిన మరింత సమాచారం కోసం కీ పదాలను ఉపయోగించి వెతికితే, 1986లో పోప్ జాన్ పాల్-II భారత్ పర్యటనకు సంబంధించి పబ్లిష్ చేసిన పలు ఆర్టికల్స్ దొరికాయి. ఢిల్లీ విమానాశ్రయంలో తన విమానం దిగిన వెంటనే జాన్ పాల్-II మోకాలిపై కుర్చీని భారత నేలని ముద్దాడినట్టు ఇండియా టుడే వార్తా సంస్థ పబ్లిష్ చేసిన ఆర్టికల్‌లో రిపోర్ట్ చేశారు.
ఢిల్లీ విమానాశ్రయంలో తనకు లభించిన ఘనస్వాగతానికి సంబంధించి జాన్ పాల్-II 01 ఫిబ్రవరి 1986 నాడు ఒక ప్రకటన విడుదల చేశారు. భారత పర్యటనకు రావడానికి మతపరమైన, మానవీయమైన కోణం ఉందని, భారత దేశంలోని కాథలికులను కలుసుకోవడానికి తను భారత దేశానికి వచ్చానని, భారత దేశంలో ఉన్న విభిన్న సంస్కృతులను, మతాలను తాను గౌరవిస్తానని జాన్ పాల్-II ఈ ప్రకటనలో తెలిపారు. విభిన్న విశ్వాసాల ప్రజల మధ్య సహాకారం మరియు ఐక్యమత్యాన్ని ప్రోత్సహించాలనే ఉద్దేశంతో తాను భారత దేశానికి వచ్చానని  పోప్ జాన్ పాల్-II తెలిపారు. కానీ, జాన్ పాల్-II విడుదల చేసిన ఈ ప్రకటనలో భగవద్గీత గురించి గాని, కురుక్షేత్ర యుద్ధం గురించి గాని ఎక్కడ ప్రస్తావించలేదు.
అయితే, పోప్ జాన్ పాల్ II సెంట్రల్ అమెరికా, అల్బేనియా మరియు అనేక ఇతర దేశాలను పర్యటించినప్పుడు కూడా ఇదే విధంగా అక్కడి నేలను ముద్దాడారు. ఆ ఫోటోలని ఇక్కడ, ఇక్కడ, ఇక్కడ, ఇక్కడ  మరియు ఇక్కడ చూడవచ్చు. పై వివరాల ఆధారంగా పోప్ జాన్ పాల్-II భారత నెలను ముద్దాడటానికి భగవద్గీత లేదా మరే ఇతర హిందూ ఇతిహాసాలు కారణం కాదని ఖచ్చితంగా చెప్పవచ్చు.
చివరగా, భగవద్గీత గౌరవార్ధంగా పోప్ భారత దేశపు మట్టిని తలపై జల్లుకోలేదు.

created: September 21, 2023


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This claim that Somalia bananas have a worm called Helicobacter which will cause brain death in 12 hours, is not true - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 3, 2021
A video accompanied by a post is being widely shared on social media claiming that recent bananas from Somalia contain a worm called Helicobacter. The post even claims that 12 hours after consumption of the banana, the person will die from brain death. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of Somalia bananas having a worm called Helicobacter which will cause brain death 12 hours after its consumption.
Fact: Helicobacter is a type of bacteria and not a type of worm. When the same video went viral in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority had said the video was incorrect and contains false and misleading information. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When reverse image search is done on the screenshots of the video, a Persian article having the same video was found. According to the article, this viral video was released in Iranian cyberspace, where it was being claimed that the bananas were imported from Somalia to Iran. Dr. Haji Mohammadi, a Ph.D. in Food Toxicology, says that ‘Helicobacter’ is the name of a bacterium and not a worm. The article could not verify the authenticity of the video; if the worms are assumed to be true, they are anyhow not pathogenic to humans.
The video went viral in different parts of West Asia, with the same claim. The authorities from Abu Dhabi had debunked the viral video and confirmed that the message contains ‘false and misleading information’. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority issued a statement saying the viral video was incorrect. “Worms are not known to complete their life cycle inside fruits when it is as big as shown in the video.”
#ADAFSA: The viral video on social media about Somali bananas is incorrect.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/QdQZ2K83Qm
As the claim is also being widely shared on WhatsApp, Dr. Fahd Al-Khudairi tweeted the message to be false. Helicobacter is a type of bacteria and not a worm as claimed in the post.
تدور رسالة واتس للتحذير من موز  محدد وان فيه دودة ،.. الخ. وهذا غير صحيح واشاعات كاذبة.
About Helicobacter:
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria and not a worm. Infections with Helicobacter are quite common, apparently two-thirds of the world have it in their bodies. For some people, the bacteria may cause stomach ulcers or cancer, where the symptoms are seen after many years. But for most people, the bacteria – which can enter and live in your digestive tract – doesn’t cause any symptoms. With good health habits, access to clean drinking water and sanitation, one can protect oneself from the bacteria.
The worm-like species taken out from inside the banana in the video, are most likely maggots, though we cannot confirm conclusively. Fruit flies at the ‘larvae’ stage are generally called maggots. Maggots feed inside the fruit and they are introduced when the female fly lays its eggs. “The larval stage is the most likely stage that you would recognise the presence of fruit fly in your fruit if you cut it open.”
Bananas are one of the most consumed and cheapest fruits worldwide: they are the most traded fruit and the fifth most traded agricultural product. India ranks first in global production of bananas, around 31.75 million MT in 2018-19 (approx. 32% of global production). India is also one of the largest consumers. In 2018, India with 25% was the largest banana market based on physical terms. According to reports, India exported bananas worth 619 Cr during 2020-21.
Further, there is no data to prove that 500 tons of Bananas were imported into India from Somalia. The official data from the Commerce Ministry shows that India did not import Banana from Somalia at all.
To sum it up, this video with a claim that Somalia bananas have a worm called Helicobacter which will cause brain death in 12 hours, is not true.

created: November 3, 2021


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This claim that there is no doctor fee and no admission fee in Velammal hospital in Madurai is not true - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 5, 2022
A post is being widely shared on social media claiming that Velammal Hospital in Madurai does treatment to patients with no doctor fee and no admission fee. The post even claims that the hospital doesn’t charge for any operations, and medicines are sold at a discount of 8%. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Velammal Hospital, Madurai, treats patients with no doctor fee and no admission fee.
Fact: Regarding the viral claim of no doctor fee and no admission fee, Velammal hospital confirmed to Factly that payment needs to be made. There is no exemption to operation charges, and no 8% discount to medicine bills. However, free medical camps are frequently organised by Velammal Hospital in and around Tamil Nadu. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When searched online about the costs incurred by Velammal Hospital in Madurai, the costs for various health check-ups were provided on the Hospital’s website. Nowhere is it mentioned on the website that there would be no doctor fee & or admission fee, nor is it mentioned that there would be no charges for operation or an 8% discount when medicines were bought.
According to an article published by the Hindu in 2020, Velammal Hospital quoted around 15,000 rupees for normal wards and 25,000 rupees for ICU wards per day during COVID-19.
A user had reviewed Velammal Hospital on Facebook. The person shared photos of pharmacy receipts. There was no mention of any 8% discount in those receipts.
However, free medical camps are frequently organized by Velammal Hospital and that information has been shared via Facebook posts here, here, and here.
Factly had reached out to Velammal hospital regarding the claim of having no doctor fee and no admission fee, to which they confirmed that payment needs to be made.
To sum it up, the claim that there is no doctor fee and no admission fee in Velammal hospital in Madurai is not true.


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This comic artwork depicting Lord Krishna ordering sarees from Myntra was not endorsed by Myntra - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 26, 2022
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as Myntra’s recent advertisement poster depicting Draupadi Vastraharan scene in Mahabharata. The poster depicts Lord Krishna searching for extra-long sarees on Myntra while Dushasana disrobes Draupadi’s saree. Sharing the photo, this post alleges that Myntra had hurt the sentiments of Hindus by endorsing such an artwork. Amid the ongoing Myntra’s Big Fashion Festival from 23 September to 02 October 2022, this photo is going viral on social media. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Myntra’s advertisement poster depicting the Draupadi Vastraharan scene in Mahabharata.
Fact: The photo shared in the post is an artwork created by ‘ScrollDroll’, an entertainment content platform that publishes comical stories, entertainment news and memes on the internet. Myntra through a tweet clarified that the artwork was not created by them and stated that they did not endorse it.  ScrollDroll through a tweet acknowledged the responsibility of the artwork and clarified that Myntra was not directly or indirectly associated with this artwork. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On observing the photo carefully, we could see the watermark ‘ScrollDroll’ on the top of the artwork. ScrollDroll is an entertainment content platform that publishes comical stories, entertainment news and memes on the internet. When we searched for more details of this photo using relevant keywords on the internet, we found that several news articles published this artwork in 2016. They can be seen here and here. These news articles reported that the e-commerce website, Myntra, was pulled up for a comical artwork created by ScrollDroll.
This artwork was reportedly published by ScrollDroll in February 2016. When we searched for further sources, we found a clarification tweet by ScrollDroll regarding this artwork. ScrollDroll in the tweet stated that they take the responsibility of this artwork and clarified that Myntra is nowhere associated with the artwork directly or indirectly. ScrollDroll through another tweet stated- “We apologize and deeply regret if any of our artwork has hurt the sentiments of anyone”.
We take up the responsibility of this artwork. Myntra is nowhere associated with it directly or indirectly. (2/2) https://t.co/2mYwpaWZhg
In August 2016, following the boycott trends from social media users, Myntra through a tweet clarified that the artwork was not created by their organisation and said that they did not endorse it. Myntra in another tweet informed that the artwork was posted by a third party (ScrollDroll) without their knowledge. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that the artwork shared in the post was not advertised and endorsed by Myntra.
We will be pursuing legal action against them for using our brand.
To sum it up, this comical artwork depicting Lord Krishna ordering sarees from Myntra during Draupadi Vastraharan was not endorsed by Myntra.

created: September 26, 2022


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This comparison of pre- & post-GST taxes on different goods and services is not rational - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 21, 2022
The 47th GST council recommendations proposing rate change for some items and withdrawal of tax exemptions for few other items have come into effect on 18 July 2022. It is in this context, a social media post comparing GST rates of certain goods with that of their respective pre-GST tax rates is being widely shared. By comparing these rates, the post claims that the GST rates on these goods are low compared to the pre-GST tax rates. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Comparison of GST rates of certain goods with that of their pre-GST tax rates.
Fact:  Before the introduction of GST,  the taxes were not uniform across all the states. State VAT used to vary from state to state. Thus, comparing the current GST rates with that of a purported uniform pre-GST tax rates is not rational. While the introduction of GST brought down taxes on certain goods and services, there are few other goods and services which are taxed more now compared to the pre-GST regime. For example, essential commodities like  wheat, curd, rice, flour are currently slabbed under 5% GST (if they are pre-packed), whereas these items were taxed lesser under the pre-GST regime. The post makes a selective comparison of those goods and services which are taxed less under the GST compared to the pre-GST regime. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced replacing a host of indirect taxes like excise duty, service tax, state VAT and others. The main aim of GST was to curb the cascading effect of other indirect taxes. In the earlier tax regime, the tax structure was complicated with multiplicity of tax rates, including cess, additional duties, etc.
Further, in the earlier tax regime, the center and states used to tax separately. And the state taxes were different in each state. For example, on a particular commodity, state VAT used to be different in different states. However, the post lists pre-GST tax rates of certain items as if the rate is uniform across all states. This implies the comparison of GST rates with that of purported uniform pre-GST taxes is not rational.
Have taxes reduced after GST?
While it is true that taxes on multitude of goods and services have indeed come down after the introduction of GST, there are few other goods and services on which the tax under the new GST regime is more compared to the pre-GST tax regime. For example, prices of most services have gone up as they are now taxed at 18% while they were charged 15% service tax in the pre-GST regime.
Likewise, according to the revised rates, essential commodities like curd, rice, wheat, flour, etc. would attract 5% GST (if they are pre-packed). However, these items attracted lesser tax under the pre-GST regime. Wheat, Rice, flour was taxed with 2.5%, 2.75% & 3.5% respectively under the pre-GST regime.
Hence, the comparison of pre- and post-GST tax rates listed in the viral post is nothing but a selective comparison of those goods and services which are taxed less under the GST compared to the pre-GST regime.
To sum it up, this comparison of pre & post GST taxes on different goods and services is not rational.


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This comparison of prison cells related to Savarkar, Gandhi, and Nehru is misleading - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 2, 2022
A collage of a few photos is being shared widely on social media with a claim that it shows the difference between the prison cells of Savarkar on one hand, and Gandhi and Nehru on the other hand. The prison cells are being compared and it is being claimed that while Gandhi and Nehru got VIP facilities, Savarkar got none. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Comparison of prison cells – while Gandhi and Nehru got VIP facilities, Savarkar got none.
Fact: The posted pictures are true [Cellular Jail (Savarkar between 1911-21), Ahmednagar Fort Jail (Nehru between 1942-45), and Aga Khan Palace (Gandhi between 1942-44)]. However, the comparison of prison cells made in the post is misleading. Savarkar was moved to the Cellular jail as he attempted an escape and was sentenced to 50 years in prison (two life terms). But Nehru and Gandhi did not receive any such sentence, they were only arrested in connection with the Quit India movement. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Savarkar:
The posted photo is related to Savarkar’s cell at the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Some more photos of Savarkar’s cell can be seen here and here. Details of the case related to Savarkar’s arrest can be read here, here, and here.
Savarkar was moved to the Cellular jail as he attempted an escape and was sentenced to 50 years in prison (two life terms), he was there from 1911 to 1921. Savarkar wrote in his book that he was sent to Ratnagiri in 1921, and then to the Yerawada Jail in 1923. Finally, he was released in 1924. The same can be read in an article on the Rajya Sabha TV website and in the Lok Sabha document.
Nehru:
The room in the posted photo is where Nehru was kept in the Ahmednagar Fort Prison. The same room can also be seen in a video taken at the Ahmednagar Fort.
He was in the Ahmednagar Fort Prison only between 09 August 1942 and 15 June 1945. On the Nehru portal, it can be read that “Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned nine times during the freedom struggle and was in jail for 3259 days”. He was kept in various prison cells. Some photos related to those prison cells can be seen on that portal.
Gandhi:
The photo given in the post regarding Gandhi was taken in the Aga Khan Palace. It was found that Gandhi was kept there between 1942 and 1944 in connection with the Quit India Movement (1942).
The details of places where Gandhi was prisoned at different times can be seen here,
While the pictures are true, the comparison is misleading. Savarkar was moved to the Cellular jail as he attempted an escape and was sentenced to 50 years in prison (two life terms). But Nehru and Gandhi were not sentenced accordingly, and they were only arrested in connection with the Quit India movement. Not only Gandhi and Nehru, even leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, and others were kept in similar jails.
To sum it up, this comparison of prison cells related to Savarkar, Gandhi, and Nehru is misleading.

created: August 2, 2022


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This comparison of unemployment rates before, and after the pandemic-induced lockdowns is misleading - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 1, 2022
A post claiming to show the unemployment rates for Jan-Mar 2020 and July-Sept 2021 and comparing them to show the dismal performance of the Narendra Modi government, is being widely shared on social media. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Unemployment data for Jan-Mar 2020 is compared with the unemployment rates of July-Sept 2021.
Fact: Though the data provided in the post is true to an extent, the comparison is not appropriate. The data for the quarter Jan-Mar 2020 (the quarter before the COVID-19 lockdown) is compared to the July-Sept 2021 quarter, which is after the initial lockdown. According to Periodic Labour Force Surveys, the unemployment rate registered a decline from 13.2% in July-Sept 2020 quarter to 9.8% in July-Sept 2021. The male unemployment rate declined from 12.6% to 9.3% and the female unemployment rate declined from 15.8% to 11.6%. The unemployment rate registered a decline from 6.1% in 2017-18 to 4.8% in 2019-20. The male unemployment rate declined from 6.2% to 5.1% and the female unemployment rate declined from 5.7% to 4.2% in those years. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has been conducting Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) since 2017. This survey measures the unemployment situation annually for both rural & urban areas and quarterly for urban areas only.
The Unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labour force. The unemployment rate is calculated based on two approaches, namely the usual status (ps+ss) approach and the current weekly status approach (CWS). We have considered the usual status approach while considering the data in this article. According to an earlier Factly article on the PLFS 2019-20 report, in terms of the CWS approach, the unemployment rate remained almost the same in those three years.
Though the data provided in the post is true to an extent, the comparison done is not appropriate. The data for the quarter Jan-Mar 2020 (the quarter before the COVID-19 lockdown) is compared to the July-Sept 2021 quarter, which is after the initial lockdown.
The unemployment rate registered a decline from 13.2% in July-Sept 2020 quarter to 9.8% in July-Sept 2021. The male unemployment rate declined from 12.6% to 9.3% and the female unemployment rate declined from 15.8% to 11.6%.
Recently, the yearly data of PLFS has also been released. The PLFS data taken here is that of the combination of rural and urban unemployment data.
The unemployment rate registered a decline from 6.1% in 2017-18 to 4.8% in 2019-20. The male unemployment rate declined from 6.2% to 5.1% and the female unemployment rate declined from 5.7% to 4.2% in the last few years.
The quarterly bulletins of PLFS were also released. The press notes for the relevant quarters can be seen here, here, and here. The initial lockdown in 2020 and the second wave of COVID-19 have impacted the quarterly numbers i.e., unemployment rates. The unemployment rates were high during these periods.
To sum it up, this comparison of unemployment rates before, and after the pandemic-induced lockdowns is misleading.


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This compassionate story of a little boy donating blood to his sister is not inspired by a real incident - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 16, 2022
A social media post that shares a compassionate story of a little boy donating blood to his twin sister, believing that the procedure would kill him is being widely shared across social media platforms. The story  is apparently from a surgeon named Jim Clark and is being shared as a real incident. Through this article, let’s fact-check the veracity of the story shared in the post.
Claim: A compassionate, real story of a little boy donating blood to his twin sister, believing that the procedure would kill him.
Fact: This is not a real story but a made up one. This is evident from the fact that, in most countries, the age limit to donate blood is 18 and few countries permit 16 –17 year olds to donate provided they fulfil the necessary conditions. Contrary to this fact, the post highlights that a little boy donated blood, which could not be true.  As per Snopes, a similar story has been going around since at least the 1920s. A 1925 Mary Pickford film, Little Annie Rooney featured a similar story of a 12-year old girl offering blood to her brother, even though she thought the procedure would kill her. Even a 1993 book titled ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ also carried a similar story in line with the viral one. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
As per WHO, the minimum age limit for blood donation in most of the countries is 18 and few countries permit 16 –17 year olds to donate, provided they fulfil the necessary conditions. Contrary to this fact, the purported story by a doctor claims that a little boy donated blood, which cannot be true.
Moreover, a similar story has been doing rounds since at least the 1920s. As per Snopes, a 1925 Mary Pickford film, ‘Little Annie Rooney’ featured a similar story of  a 12 year old girl offering blood transfusion to her brother, even after believing that the procedure would kill her.
Further, a 1993 book titled ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’, a compilation of  short stories by Dan Millman (here) also featured a tale titled ‘On Courage’ in line with the viral claim.
Although we could not trace the exact origin of the story, the available evidence suggests that the story is not inspired from a real incident but is a made up.
To sum it up, this compassionate story of a little boy donating blood to his sister is not inspired by a real incident.


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This Congress leaders meeting with Bangladesh PM was not during Manmohan Singh's tenure as PM - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 31, 2021
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as a visual from former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh during the UPA regime. This post claims that in this tour to Bangladesh, Indian National Congress (INC) party President Sonia Gandhi took the prominent seat at a meeting held with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: During former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh, Sonia Gandhi took the prominent seat in a meeting held with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.
Fact: The photo shared in the post is related to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s four-day visit to India in 2019. INC President Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and other Congress leaders met Sheikh Hasina as the prominent opposition party leaders of the country. This photo has nothing to do with former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in 2011. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, a similar photo was found in an article published by ‘The New Indian Express’ website on 06 October 2019. In the article, it is reported that Congress President Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, and other Congress leaders met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, on 06 October 2019. This photo is related to the Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s four-day visit to India in 2019.
The same photo is found in several news articles that reported the Congress leaders meeting with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, on 06 October 2019.  They can be seen here, here and here. As the President of Congress party, Sonia Gandhi took the prominent seat in this meeting. This photo is not related to the former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in 2011.
To sum it up, the 2019 photo of Congress leaders meeting with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi is shared as the picture captured during Manmohan Singh’s tenure as PM.


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This contact info of Dr. Reddy’s regarding 2DG drug procurement is incorrect - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 20, 2021
Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has approved 2DG for emergency use as an adjunct therapy drug in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Following this on 17 May 2021, the Union Health & Defense ministers released the first batch of 2DG drug. It is in this regard a social media post advising people who are in need of the drug to reach out to Dr. Deepak Sapra (deepaksapra@drreddys.com) and Dr. Mallikarjun Rao (mallikarjunard@drreddys.com), is going viral. Through this article let’s fact-check the veracity of the post.
Claim: Contact details Dr. Reddy Labs for procuring 2DG drug.
Fact: Dr. Reddy’s through a tweet stated that these contact details regarding the procurement of 2DG are incorrect. Also, the tweet requested to contact 2DG@drreddys.com for all queries related to 2DG. Their tweet has also advised people to beware of agents selling spurious or illegal products in the name of 2DG. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
In reply to a Twitter user’s query regarding the veracity of the same message, Dr. Reddy’s has categorically stated that the piece of information is incorrect, and the tweet requested people contact 2DG@drreddys.com for all queries related to 2DG.
Wish to bring to your attention that the WhatsApp forward you refer to is completely incorrect. Please refer to the correct contact info below. Request you to help us fight misinformation by re-sharing the correct contact info on Twitter and WhatsApp.https://t.co/50KLNTk4Xi
Further, the tweet shared some important information regarding the drug which is as follows.
Further, the tweet advised people to beware of agents selling spurious or illegal products in the name of 2DG. News articles that give a low down on the drug can be read here and here. With this, we can conclude that the contact info regarding the procurement of 2DG drug shared in the post is incorrect.
To sum it up, this contact info of Dr. Reddy’s regarding 2DG drug procurement is incorrect.


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This COVID-19 message attributed to Dr. Leong Hoe Nam of Singapore is not true - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 5, 2021
A post is being widely shared on social media claiming that the COVID-19 warning message was given by Dr. Leong Hoe Nam, a public health expert in Singapore. The post even claims that the information is from an interview given by the doctor in Mandarin. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: COVID-19 warning message by Dr. Leong Hoe Nam, taken from his interview in Mandarin.
Fact: The message was not given by Dr. Leong Hoe Nam. Dr. Leong Hoe Nam is an infectious diseases specialist from the Rophi Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. Rophi Clinic, via Facebook, had confirmed that the information in the post is ‘fake news’. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
We could not find any recent news articles which say that Dr. Leong Hoe Nam had given such a warning message about COVID-19. We also could not find any interview given in Mandarin by Dr. Leong Hoe Nam in relation to the message in the post.
Dr. Leong Hoe Nam is an infectious diseases specialist from the Rophi Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. He is frequently interviewed and sought for an opinion on various infectious diseases like COVID-19. Rophi Clinic, via Facebook, confirmed that the information in the post is ‘fake news’. Rophi Clinic even requests people to stop spreading such ‘damaging information’. “This is to state categorically that Dr. Leong has never said what was shared. There is a lot of false information.”
The symptoms of the delta variant are the same as the original version. Delta variant does not have different symptoms as claimed in the post. It is true that the Delta variant is more transmissible and deadly.
To sum it up, this COVID-19 message attributed to Dr. Leong Hoe Nam of Singapore is not true.

created: November 5, 2021


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This COVID-19 message which lacks context, is not given by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 11, 2022
A post is being widely shared on social media claiming that the message on COVID-19 and the Omicron variant was given by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. The post even claims that these were notes taken from her call with Edward Ryan MD, Director of International Infectious Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: COVID-19 message by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, taken from her notes from a call with Edward Ryan MD, Director of International Infectious Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Fact: The message was not given by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. The same content has been viral in the US without the name of Kiran Shaw. Massachusetts General Hospital has clarified that the notes on COVID-19 lacks nuance, context & details. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
We could not find any recent news articles which say that Kiran Mazumdar Shaw had given such a message about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. We also could not find any such notes from a call, in relation to the message.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is the Executive Chairman of Biocon Limited, which is a global biopharmaceutical company. Her social media handles (here and here) do not mention anything about such a message.
The same message has been viral in the United States and China, without the name of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. Massachusetts General Hospital clarified, in a press release, that the notes lack nuance and excluded certain points. “For instance, the role that vaccines play in mitigating severe disease or death was not included, and individuals with comorbid conditions should continue to take extra precautions to minimize contracting COVID irrelevant of age.”
Newschecker had contacted Kiran Mazumdar Shaw about a similar claim, to which she confirmed that she was not the one who took those notes.
To sum it up, this COVID-19 message which lacks context is not given by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.

created: January 11, 2022


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This cruising ship video is from the Corinth Canal in Greece, not from Gujarat - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 30, 2020
A post is being shared on social media claiming it as the video of a cruise ship travelling between Bhavnagar and Bharuch districts in Gujarat. In the post, it claims as one of the greatest achievements of PM Narendra Modi Government in reducing the travelling time between the two districts. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of cruise ship that connects Bhavnagar and Bharuch districts in Gujarat.
Fact: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ro-ro ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej in Gujarat on 22 October 2017. The ferry will reduce the travel distance to 31 km from the previous distance of 360 km. But the video in the post shows a UK based company Cruise ship, sailing through the narrow Corinth Canal in Greece. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
On reverse image search of screenshots in the video, similar visuals were found in a video published by the official YouTube channel of ‘Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ company on ‘9 October 2019’. ‘Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ is a UK based shipping line company that owns four classic-styled mid to small cruise ships. In the description of the video, it is mentioned as the video of their Braemar cruise ship sailing through the Corinth Canal on ‘9 October 2019’. ‘Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ company shared a photo in their official twitter handle on the same day. In the tweet, they mentioned that their Braemar ship made history as the longest ever cruise ship that sailed through the Corinth canal in Greece. A visual in the video also found on the official website of ‘Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ company.
CNN travel news website also published an article on ‘12 October 2019’ about the Braemar cruise ship becoming the longest cruise ship to sail through Greece’s narrow Corinth canal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘roll-on, and roll-off’ service on ‘22 October 2017’ between Ghoga and Dahej in Gujarat. To reduce the travel time between the Saurashtra and South Gujarat, the Gujarat Government came up with this ro-ro ferry service.  Ghoga situated in Bhavnagar district of Saurashtra lies 17 nautical miles (32 km) across the Gulf from Dahej in Bharuch district. But, the video shared in the post is related to the Braemar cruise ship sailing through the Corinth canal in Greece. It has nothing to do with the Gujarat state of India.
To sum it up, this cruising ship video is from the Corinth canal in Greece, not from Gujarat.

created: September 30, 2020


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This CT Scan report does not represent the lungs of a COVID-19 vaccinated person - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 30, 2021
An image is being shared on social media claiming it as the visuals of CT scan reports that show the lungs of a person who is vaccinated and a normal COVID-19 positive patient who did not take the vaccine. The image on the left with clear lungs is claimed to be the CT scan report of a vaccinated person. By sharing this image, this post recommends people get vaccinated as early as possible. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: CT Scan reports representing the lungs of a COVID-19 vaccinated person and others.
Fact: This CT scan reports comparison image is related to a research study that aims to detect the extent of COVID-19 infection using the CT scans.  Researchers and Radiologists from Vancouver General Hospital, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute published this research study in April 2020. This image is not related to the COVID-19 vaccination. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, a similar photo comparison of two CT scan reports is found in an article published in April 2020. In April 2020, vaccination for the COVID-19 virus was not available. According to the article, this CT scan reports comparison image is related to a research study that aims to detect the extent of COVID-19 infection using CT scans. Researchers and Radiologists from Vancouver General Hospital, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute conducted this research study to predict the COVID-19 virus using CT scans.
When we searched for more details of this research on ‘The University of British Columbia’ website, a similar CT scan reports comparison image was found to be published in the research study on detecting the COVID-19 virus using CT scans.
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute also published the same image on their website while explaining their research study on diagnosing the COVID-19 virus using CT scans.
While the post is being shared with an intent to encourage people to get vaccinated for COVID-19, which is the need of the hour, the image does not represent the lungs of a COVID-19 vaccinated person. There is also a chance that COVID-19 infected persons may feel anxious looking at these images.
To sum it up, these CT scan reports are related to a research study on detecting the COVID-19 virus using CT scans, not related to the vaccination.


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This document does not specify official schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 24, 2024
A circular in the name of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi is being widely shared across social media platforms, claiming that the Election Commission of India has released the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and that the polls will be held on 16 April 2024. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: 2024 Lok Sabha Elections to be held on 16 April – Circular in the name of Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi
Fact: The circulated document is not the actual schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi clarified that it is an internal circular and was issued with an imaginary poll date to alert the district administration about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. According to media reports, the actual schedule is likely to be released in late February or early March of 2024. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Although the circular shared in the name of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi regarding the arrangements for the election of the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi is true, the date mentioned in the circular is not the actual election date. It is only a reference date established for advance planning. It may be noted that the circular that is going viral also clearly mentions that this is a provisional date fixed for reference.
While searching for information regarding this circular, we came across a tweet from the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi clarifying this matter. According to the CEO of Delhi, the date mentioned in the circular is for reference only, as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India. Its purpose is to facilitate advance planning accordingly.
Some media queries are coming referring to a circular by @CeodelhiOffice to clarify whether 16.04.2024 is tentative poll day for #LSElections2024
It is clarified that this date was mentioned only for ‘reference’for officials to plan activities as per Election Planner of ECI.
He clarified that setting a reference date allows for advance planning of election arrangements and management. Explaining that a significant portion of the election management responsibility falls on the District Election Officers/Returning Officers, an internal circular has been issued with a fictitious polling date to alert the district administration in the context of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Press Note (Clarification)@ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/gVhSySeVg5
This explanation from the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi makes it clear that the document being circulated is not the actual schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, the official schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections has not been released yet. According to media reports, the schedule is expected to be announced in late February or early March of 2024.
To sum it up, this document does not represent the official schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is merely an internal circular with tentative dates intended to alert the administration.

created: January 24, 2024


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This edited article title falsely shows that Bihar CM used vulgar language while referring to village heads - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 23, 2020
A newspaper clip with the title – ‘गांव में लॉकडाउन का उल्‍लंघन हुआ तो मुखिया के गार में बास होगा,’ is being shared widely on social media with a claim that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has used derogatory words to warn village heads against the violation of lockdown rules in the villages. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has made vulgar remarks to warn village heads against the violation of lockdown rules in the villages.
Fact: The newspaper clip in the post is an edited one. The title of the article has been edited to insert vulgar language. While it is true that the government has made the village heads answerable for lockdown violations in the village, the derogatory words in the article’s title were not made by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When searched with the keywords, a similar image (archived) was found to be uploaded on Facebook by a page with the name – ‘Begusarai Live’ on 11 April 2020. But, in that image, it can be seen that the title is not the same. It is written – ‘गांव में लॉकडाउन का उल्‍लंघन हुआ तो मुखिया होंगे जवाबदेह’ (English translation by Google – ‘If the lockdown is violated in the village, the chief will be accountable’)
While the title is different in both the photos, the body of the article is the same. A clearer picture of the posted image can be found here (archived). So, when searched with the sentences from the body of the article, the same article was found on the website of ‘Dainik Jagran’. It can be seen that the whole body of the article is the same (a shorter version on the website). The title and the body of the article on the website do not have any such derogatory words.
While FACTLY could not find the exact e-paper article, on looking at the article on the ‘Dainik Jagran’ website and the photo posted by ‘Begusarai Live’, it is clear that the article did not have any such derogatory words. The title has been edited to insert such words at the end in the posted image. Also, it can be seen that other news agencies have also published similar articles with the title – ‘Lockdown का उल्लंघन हुआ तो मुखिया-पार्षद होंगे जवाबदेह’.
To sum it up, the article title has been edited to show that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has used derogatory words while referring to village heads.
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This electrocution incident during the Ram Navami procession did not occur in front of a mosque - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 6, 2023
A video showing a group of people being electrocuted by a high-tension wire has been circulating on social media. The post claims that the individuals were part of a group dancing to loud music in front of a mosque during a Sri Ramanavami procession and insinuates that the incident was divine punishment for their disrespectful behaviour. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: A group of people getting electrocuted during Sri Ramanavami Procession for dancing in front of a Mosque.
Fact: The incident occurred in Kotradeep Singh Village in Rajasthan, where three people were electrocuted while attempting to retrieve a ring that had become entangled in a high-tension wire. However, according to the former sarpanch and the husband of the current sarpanch, there is no mosque in their village. A video captured from another angle does not show any mosque, and a review of Google Maps confirms that there is no mosque in the village. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
According to the media reports (here and here), three men tragically lost their lives due to electrocution while performing stunts during a Ram Navami celebration in Kotra deep/Kodta deep Singh village of Kota district of Rajasthan on 30 March 2023. The incident occurred when seven individuals formed a human pyramid to retrieve a steel ring that was stuck in an overhead high-tension cable. As they attempted to remove the ring, the group received an electric shock. The victims have been identified as Abhishek, 24, Mahendra Yadav, 40, and Lalit Prajapat, 25, all residents of Baroda village. Four other individuals—Amit Mehar, 19, Himanshu, 21, Radhayshyam Mehra, 24, and Palendra Prajapat, 23—also suffered electrocution but survived.
The injured were immediately taken to the Community Health Centre in Sultanpur, where three of them were declared dead upon arrival. The remaining injured, with the exception of Prajapat, were later transferred to MBS Hospital in Kota for further treatment. Deputy Superintendent of Police Gajendra Singh stated that the power line involved in the incident was rubber-coated, but the steel ring somehow managed to come into contact with a live part of the cable. However, after examining the available media reports, there is no mention of the incident occurring in front of a mosque, as claimed in the social media post. Upon searching YouTube using relevant keywords, we found a video that captured the accident from a different angle. The footage does not reveal any indication of a mosque being present at the location of the incident. We contacted the uploader of the video, Lalit, who confirmed that the incident occurred near the house of the village’s former sarpanch Lokendraji and not in front of any mosque, as claimed in the social media post.
We subsequently contacted the current Sarpanch Santosh Bai and former Sarpanch Lokendraji of the village to verify the information. Both Lokendraji and Ramesh, the husband of Sarpanch Santosh Bai, confirmed that there is no mosque in their village, and the incident indeed took place near Lokendraji’s home. Additionally, a review of the village on Google Maps does not reveal the presence of any mosque within the area.
To sum it up, the incident in which three people were electrocuted during Ram Navami celebrations in Rajasthan did not take place in front of a mosque.


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This family suicide photo is neither related to lockdown nor to ‘Hindus killed in Pakistan’ - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 28, 2020
An image is being widely shared on social media claiming that a family had committed suicide due to the lack of relief support from the government during the lockdown. The image shows four members hanging from an iron pipe. FACTLY has found the same image in a forensic research article published in October 2019. In the article, it was mentioned that the Police interrogation revealed poverty and inability to pay their debts as the reason for suicide. Some users have posted the same photo on Twitter with the claim that it shows the plight of Hindus in Pakistan. But, in the article, it can be read that incident is related to India. So, the image is old and is neither related to lockdown nor Pakistan.
Sources:
Claim –
1. Facebook post (archived)
2. Tweet (archived)
Fact –
1. Research article – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336906143_Quadruple_hanging_a_rare_scenario_in_filicide-suicide
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This Finn Allen’s tweet mocking the security conditions in Pakistan is a morphed one - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 22, 2021
A screenshot of a tweet purportedly made by New Zealand cricketer Finn Allen is being shared on social media claiming it as Finn Allen’s recent satirical tweet on security conditions in Pakistan. This purported tweet of Finn Allen states, “Pakistan is peaceful, safe and fully secured. Even Laden was living peacefully in Pakistan after clearing thousands”. Following the New Zealand Cricket Board’s recent announcement to call off the Pakistan tour citing security reasons, this post was circulated on social media. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Finn Allen’s tweet mocking security conditions in Pakistan.
Fact: The tweet shared in the post is a morphed one. This image was created by a satirical Facebook page named ‘Ashish Nehra Academy’. Finn Allen had not made any such tweet by mocking the security conditions in Pakistan. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched to check whether New Zealand cricketer Finn Allen had made any such tweet on his official Twitter handle, we could not find any such tweet. Finn Allen made his last tweet on 04 August 2021. If Finn Allen had made such a controversial tweet, several sports websites and news channels would have published articles reporting that information. But we could not find any such news report on the internet.
To get more reliable information regarding this tweet, the ‘India Today Anti Fake News War Room’ (AFWA) contacted New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board. NZC officials clarified ‘India Today’ that Finn Allen had not made any such tweet by mocking the security conditions in Pakistan.
This tweet in the post was first shared by a satirical Facebook page named ‘Ashish Nehra Academy’. It was shared by the page as a satirical post. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that the image shared in the post shows a morphed tweet made by the ‘Ashish Nehra Academy’ satirical Facebook page.
To sum it up, this Finn Allen’s tweet mocking the security conditions in Pakistan is a morphed one, made by a satirical Facebook page.

created: September 22, 2021


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This five-phase road map to ease COVID-19 restrictions is not issued by the Indian Government - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 12, 2020
A post is being shared widely with a claim that the Government has designed a five-phase road map to ease COVID-19 restrictions in the country. As per this message, each of those five phases will have a 3-week review process and the first phase would commence on 18 May 2020. But, FACTLY has found that the road map in the message was issued by the Government of Ireland, not by the Government of India. On 01 May 2020, the Ireland Government’s Department of the Taoiseach had published a road map to ease COVID-19 restrictions and reopen the country’s economy and society. Also, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) – India has clarified that this roadmap was not issued by the Indian government.
Sources:
Claim – Facebook post (archived)
Fact –
1. Government of Ireland – Department of the Taoiseach website – https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e5e599-government-publishes-roadmap-to-ease-covid-19-restrictions-and-reope/
2. PIB tweet – https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1260106349062418432
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This footage of children being trained to shoot rifles is from Afghanistan, not India - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 21, 2022
A video through a post is being widely shared on social media claiming that Muslim children are being trained to shoot with rifles in Madrasas in India. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of children being trained to shoot rifles in Madrasas in India.
Fact: The video is taken from a documentary shot by Al Jazeera about military training given to children in Afghanistan by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). It is not from a Madrasa in India. This 2015 documentary ‘ISIL and the Taliban’ was about the emerging influence of ISIL and its battle for supremacy against Taliban in Afghanistan. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
The logo of Al Jazeera can be seen in the bottom left of the video; and at the near end of the video, it can be heard that the visuals are from Afghanistan.
When reverse image search is done on the screenshots of the video, a video with similar visuals was found on Al Jazeera website. From 45:53 timeframe, the video had been clipped and shared as a viral video. According to the website, the video is a documentary titled, ‘ISIL and the Taliban’, which showcases the visuals of the growing influence of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq, and Afghanistan. The visuals part of the viral video were from a village in Afghanistan where children were taught to shoot rifles by ISIL to gain control in Afghanistan, and battle for supremacy against the Taliban there. This was a documentary by Al Jazeera and Frontline from 2015.
It had been reported in 2015 that ISIL fighters teach children as young as three about Jihad. The children in Afghanistan are given training to shoot rifles. Due to widespread poverty and the government’s limited reach, the children in most places are recruited by terrorists and are used as Spies and Suicide bombers.
Madrasas are traditional schools in Islam that, according to an India Today report, cater to nearly 3 million children in India. “Some go to madrasas out of choice, and some, because they don’t have any.
To sum it up, this footage of children being trained to shoot rifles is from Afghanistan, not India.


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This football player waving the Palestine flag on the ground is Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq, not Cristiano Ronaldo - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 12, 2023
A video is being shared on social media claiming it is the recent visuals of football player Cristiano Ronaldo waving the Palestine flag and extending his support to Palestine. Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, this video is going viral on social media. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Recent video of Cristiano Ronaldo extending his support to Palestine by waving its flag after victory.
Fact: The video shared in the post shows Moracco football player Jawad El Yamiq waving the Palestine flag after Morocco’s victory over Canada during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The video shared in the post is old and has nothing to do with Cristiano Ronaldo. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
On reverse image search of the screenshots of the video, a video showing similar visuals was found published by the Middle East Eye news site on 02 December 2022. The news site reported it is the visuals of Morocco football player Jawad El Yamiq celebrating victory over Canada with the Palestine flag during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
An image of Jawad El Yamiq posing with a Palestine flag after victory over Canada was published on the Getty Images site. The image was published on ‘Getty Images’ site with  the description, “Jawad El Yamiq of Morocco celebrates after the team’s qualification to the knockout stages during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Canada and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.”
Several news websites reported this news about Morocco players celebrating victory over Canada by waving the Palestine flags. A few of those news articles can be seen here, here, and here.
To sum it up, an old video of Morocco player Jawad El Yamiq was shared as the recent visuals of Cristiano Ronaldo extending his support to Palestine by waving its flag after victory on the ground.

created: October 12, 2023


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This formula of an ancient Tamil poet for calculating the hypotenuse of a triangle does not give accurate results in all the cases - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 23, 2022
A post is being shared on social media with a claim that “an ancient Tamil mathematician/poet (Pothayanar), who lived 800 years before the Common Era, had given a quatrain of four lines articulating the method of finding the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle without the need to find the square or the square-root, only using the length of the sides, and simple fractions”. It is being shared as an alternative to the Pythagoras theorem. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: An ancient Tamil poet’s method finds the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle only using the length of the sides, and simple fractions; without the need to find the square or the square root.
Fact: The formula attributed to a Tamil poet in the post does not give accurate results in all scenarios. Only in some cases, the results are accurate. Also, the given formula to find the hypotenuse length does not work if the smaller side is taken as the base/horizontal (i.e., interchanging A and B in the given formula). The Pythagoras theorem works even if A and B are interchanged. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
The formula attributed to a Tamil poet in the post is C = (7/8) A + (1/2) B  [where A is the base, B is the perpendicular, and C is the hypotenuse of the triangle]. Let’s check whether the formula holds true in all the scenarios.
In the table above, it can be observed that the formula attributed to the Tamil poet does not give accurate results in all the scenarios. Only in few cases, the results are accurate. Also, the given formula to find the hypotenuse length does not work if the smaller side is taken as the base/horizontal (i.e., interchanging A and B in the given formula). The Pythagoras theorem works even if A and B are interchanged. If we reverse the A and B values in Example 1, we get hypotenuse as ‘5’ using the Pythagoras theorem, but ‘4.625’ using the Tamil poet’s formula.
While we found the reports of the actual Pythagorus theorem being attributed to ‘Baudhayana Sulba-sutra’, we could not independently verify whether any Tamil poet mentioned about the other formula given in the post.
To sum it up, the formula for calculating the hypotenuse of a triangle, which is attributed to a Tamil poet in the post, does not give accurate results in all the cases.

created: November 23, 2022


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This Fountain does not get activated only with 'Om' Sound. Rather, it works for all kinds of sounds - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 4, 2022
A post is widely shared on social media claiming that a small waterfall near a mountain in Thailand jets water higher than the mountain, only when someone says ‘Om’ from a mountain right next to it. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: A fountain in Thailand only gets activated with the ’Om’ sound.
Fact: The location of this fountain is actually in China, not Thailand. It is a fountain that can be controlled with sound waves. It does not just exclusively work for ‘Om’, rather it works for all kinds of sounds. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On reverse image search of the screenshots from the video in Yandex, a video titled ‘voice-controlled water fountain’ was found. When we searched on the internet with relevant keywords, we found a similar video that was posted on the official Twitter account of ‘Xinhua Culture & Travel’. The Twitter post says, ‘.. at Cangshan Mountain in north China’s Shanxi Province.’ Hence, the location of the mountain is not in Thailand but in China.
Can your voice power a fountain?
Shout your stress out and make a spout at Cangshan Mountain in north China's Shanxi Province pic.twitter.com/WQ5tUyjaLq
The fountain works with the help of sound waves and there is no proof that it works only  when ‘Om’ is vocalised. We found a few other fountains that function using sound waves which can be found here, here and here.
To sum it up, the fountain in the video does not just work for ‘Om’, but it functions using sound waves, which means it works for all sorts of words.


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This Frozen Elephant Mountain photo is a digitally created artwork, not a real one - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 2, 2021
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as the true visuals of a frozen elephant mountain. Earlier this year, the same photo was shared as the visuals of winter elephant rock in Oregon. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of a giant frozen elephant mountain.
Fact: The photo shows an artwork created by a Polish-based artist, Mirekis. Mirekis created this image by combining different images available on the internet. It is not a real photo. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, a similar photo was found to be shared by a Facebook user in May 2021. This Facebook user credited the photo to ‘@mirekis7’. Mirekis is a Polish-based artist who creates artworks of giant creatures and portraits. The same photo was found on the Facebook and Instagram handles of Merikis. They can be seen here and here.  The official portfolio of Merkis can be seen here.
Mirekis had shared similar digital artworks of frozen cliffs on his social media handles. They can be seen here, here and here. Several websites have published these digitally created artworks of Mirekis.
Regarding this giant elephant mountain artwork, Merkis issued a clarification to the ‘Snopes’ fact-checking website. While speaking to ‘Snopes’, Merkis revealed the making process of his artwork. Merkis said that he had created this image by combining several different images available on the internet. The foreground of the artwork was reportedly taken from a photograph of Rocca Malatestiana, a fortress on a mountain range in Italy. Similarly, Merkis used another two images available on the ‘Pixabay’ website to create this artwork. They can be seen here and here. The clarification issued by Merkis could be found in the fact-check article published by ‘Snopes’. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that the image shared in the post is a digitally created artwork.
To sum it up, a digitally created artwork is shared as true visuals of a Frozen Elephant Mountain.