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An old video from 2021 is now falsely shared as visuals of victory procession of London Mayor Sadiq Khan - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 10, 2024
As Sadiq Khan (here and here) won as the Mayor of London in the recently conducted elections, a video (here, here, and here ) claiming to be his victory procession is being shared on social media. We fact-check this claim through this article.
Claim: Visuals of Muslims celebrating the victory of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Fact: This is an old video from 2021 that shows the visuals of an Ashura Procession that was held in London. This has nothing to do with Sadiq Khan or the London Mayor elections. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
We performed a reverse image search on a few keyframes of the viral video to check the viral claim’s veracity. This search led us to a Facebook post(archive link) from September 2021 that contained the same video. It was described as visuals of ‘Ashura Procession 2021 London’
We then searched for more videos of this procession from 2021 and were led to social media posts(here and here) from 2021 that contained similar visuals of the ‘Ashura procession 2021.’  Ashura is an Islamic Holy Day observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Muslim calendar.
You can see the similarities in the viral video and the videos from this procession in the following collage. They are holding similar placards with the same logos, and the Oxford Street banners can also be seen in the procession videos.
This makes it clear that an old video is being shared as a video of Muslims celebrating the victory of Sadiq Khan in the London Mayoral elections. The same video had also gone viral in 2023, linking it to the Hamas-Israel conflict. Fact-check organisations like Misbar (here) and Boomlive debunked the false claim back then.
To sum up, a video from 2021 is falsely being shared as visuals of Muslims celebrating the victory of Sadiq Khan in the recently held London mayoral elections.


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This is how States are spending the Building & Construction Workers Welfare fund
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 1, 2019
Factly had earlier written about the more than Rs. 28,000 crores of Building & Construction workers welfare cess lying unspent as of December 2018. More than Rs. 6000 crores is lying unspent in Maharashtra.
As noted in one of our earlier stories, more than Rs. 28,000 crores of the cess collected in the name of Building & other Construction Workers welfare is lying unspent as of December 2018. The data also reveals that the spending patterns are different in different states.
Maharashtra accounts for more than 20% of the unspent amount
As per data shared by the government, more than Rs. 1000 crores was collected in cess by 17 States/UTs.  Of these, only two states, Maharashtra & Karnataka collected more than Rs. 5000 crores each. In terms of the total amount spent, Karnataka tops the list with Rs. 4520 crores followed by Kerala which spent Rs. 1887 crores. Apart from these two, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh & Odisha are the four other states that spent more than Rs. 1000 crores of the collected cess. At least Rs. 500 crores was spent by 5 more states.
In terms of the amount remaining unspent, more than Rs. 6000 crores lies unspent in Maharashtra alone which is more than 20% of the total unspent amount across the country. More than Rs. 2000 crores lies unspent in Uttar Pradesh & Delhi while more than Rs. 1000 crores lies unspent in seven other states. Together, these 10 states/UTs account for about 80% of the total unspent amount.
In Assam, 75% of the funds were spent on activities other than Welfare
There is a variation in terms of the how  various states have spent the amount. The data shared by the government categorizes the amount spent as that spent on welfare (on schemes) and the amount spent on other than welfare (like administration etc.). Among the states that spent at least Rs. 100 crore from the cess, Assam spent 75% on other than welfare while Tamil Nadu spent around 29% on other than welfare activities. Maharashtra, which hardly spent 6% of the total collected cess, spent 28% of the amount collected on other than welfare activities. Out of the Rs. 403 crores spent by Maharashtra, Rs. 113 crores was spent on other than welfare activities. At an All India level, around 7% of the amount was spent on other than welfare activities. In each of Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan, the top four states in terms of the spending, the proportion of the amount spent on other than welfare activities is less than 10%.
An average of Rs. 5119 spent per registered worker at an All India level
If the average amount spent on welfare per registered worker is considered (among those states that spent a minimum of Rs. 100 crores on welfare), Karnataka tops with the list with an average amount of Rs. 28,369 per worker. This amount is more than 5 times the national average spending of Rs. 5119 per worker. Kerala is the only other state where the average amount is more than Rs. 10,000 per worker. Only four other states (Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi & Rajasthan) spent more than the national average while all the other states spent less than the national average. Bihar spent only Rs. 1737 per worker, which is 1/3rd of the national average.
Featured Image: Labour Welfare

source: news-factly

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

author: Sai Krishna Muthyanolla


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This is how the Indian Industry spent the CSR Budget in 2014-15 - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 29, 2016
Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 mandates companies with more than a specified net worth or turnover or net profit to mandatorily spend 2% of the net profit on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. As per data released by the Government, a total of 6338 crore rupees were spent on CSR activities by 460 different companies in 2014-15. The companies implemented a total of 1790 projects.
The provisions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 mandate companies with a net worth of Rs 500 crore or more OR turnover of Rs 1000 crore or more OR a net profit of rupees five crore or more, to spend at least two per cent of their average net profits earned during three immediately preceding financial years on CSR activities.
The CSR rules also mandate each such company to constitute a CSR committee and also formulate a CSR Policy. The companies are also required to report annual expenditure under CSR in a prescribed format in the Annual Board Report.  The companies can implement their CSR activities through trusts or foundations or even Section 8 companies. The rules also prescribe the list of CSR activities that can be undertaken. Recently a high level committee set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has also given its recommendations to improve the monitoring of the implementation of CSR policies.
More than 6300 crore spent in 2014-15
According to the data released by MCA, a total of 6338 crore rupees were spent on CSR activities by 51 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and 409 Private companies. The 51 PSUs spent a total of 2387 crores while the 409 private companies spent 3951 crore rupees. PSUs on an average spent 46.8 crore while Private Companies spent 9.7 crores on average.
9 of the Top 20 spenders are PSUs
Out of the top 20 spenders under CSR, 9 are PSUs and the remaining 11 are private companies. Reliance Industries spent the most with 760.6 crore rupees followed by ONGC with 495.2 crores. Three out of the top 10 are companies from the IT Sector (Infosys, TCS & Wipro). State owned NTPC, NMDC & Oil India are also in the top 10 spenders. The top 10 spenders accounted for 43.5% of the total CSR spend while the top 20 companies accounted for 56% of the total CSR spend.
Maharashtra & Gujarat account for more than 1/6th of all the Projects
A total of 1790 projects were undertaken under CSR in 2014-15 in 36 different States/UTs. Maharashtra leads in the number of projects with 202 followed by Gujarat (111 projects). 97 projects were in Tamil Nadu while 95 projects were in Karnataka. Rajasthan (89), Uttar Pradesh (80), Andhra Pradesh (79), West Bengal (79), Madhya Pradesh (71) and Delhi (66) are the other states in the top 10. Surprisingly, Telangana that has a large presence of IT Companies had only 47 projects and is in the 15 position.
Eradication of Poverty, Promotion of Education & Livelihoods get the Lion’s share
Out of the various subjects and activities indicated in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 1463 crore rupees were spent on activities targeted at promoting Education, Vocational skills and livelihood enhancement. Eradicating Hunger, Poverty & Health Care was the next favourite with a spending of 1422 crore rupees. 1189 crore rupees were spent on Environment sustainability activities. Rural Development projects saw 724 crore rupees of spending. An amount of 42.6 crores was contributed to the Swatch Bharat Kosh and 15.5 crores to the Clean Ganga fund. A contribution of 125 crores was made to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
(This is Part 1 of the series on CSR Expenditure by various Companies. Part 2  will look at activities undertaken by some specific companies to understand the kind of projects under CSR)

created: February 29, 2016


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This is how Train Stoppages are supposed to be decided - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 9, 2016
Every year, the Ministry of Railways receives numerous requests from State Governments, Members of Parliament etc for addition of new stoppages to existing trains. Here is the process, at least in theory, that the Railways is supposed to follow when deciding on new stoppages.
Every year, the Ministry of Railways receives numerous requests from State Governments, Members of Parliament etc for addition of new stoppages to existing trains. But how does the Railways decide whether a new stop has to be provisioned? At least in theory, the Railways has a policy based on which a decision on new stoppage is taken.
New Stoppage should recover cost
The Ministry of Railways came up with a new stoppage policy in 2005. This policy was built upon earlier such policies made in 1987,1991 and 1992. Based on the new policy, the following must be considered before any new stoppage is planned or an existing stoppage is to be withdrawn for mail, express and superfast trains.
The costs have to be calculated based on the existing fares for various classes.
Other Criteria to be considered
In addition to the above, the following criteria should be also considered before deciding on any new stoppage or withdrawal of an existing stoppage.
New stoppage to be approved along with withdrawal of an existing stoppage
The Railways in 2006 realized that there is going to be no end to the demand for additional stoppages for express and superfast trains. It also realized that extra stoppages will have adverse impact on the operational utilization and line capacity. Hence it proposed that all Zones proposing new stops should also propose an existing stop for withdrawal where the patronization of the train is least.
Whether all of this is happening when a decision on new stoppage is being taken is anybody’s guess.
Featured Image: [Railway Station], [CC BY 3.0]


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This is not a photo of PM Modi from his recent visit to the Lakshadweep Islands. - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 8, 2024
After a series of photos from PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit went viral on social media, a photo of him clad in a scuba diving suit is being shared on social media, claiming it as an unseen photo of this visit. Let’s fact-check this claim through this article.
Claim: An unseen photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit.
Fact: PM Modi shared a series of photos of his visit to the Lakshadweep Islands on his official social media accounts. None of these posts contained the viral photo. Moreover, after running this photo to Hive’s AI detector, Factly found that it could most likely be an AI-generated photo. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
To check the veracity of the viral claim, we first skimmed through PM Modi’s official social media handles.  Through this, we found that he posted several photos of his visit to Lakshadweep on X, Instagram, and Facebook. The first series was posted on 4 January 2024 on his ‘X’.
For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.
During my stay, I also tried snorkelling – what an exhilarating experience it was! pic.twitter.com/rikUTGlFN7
None of these photos contained the viral photo. Moreover, there are many differences between PM Modi’s viral photo and the original pictures of his scuba diving adventure from Lakshadweep.
To check if the viral photo was generated using Artificial Intelligence, we ran it through the Hive AI detector, which gives away the percentage likeliness of a photo to be generated using AI. The results showed a 100% likelihood of being generated by AI.
To sum up, this is not a photo of PM Modi from his recent visit to the Lakshadweep Islands.

created: January 8, 2024


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This is not the first time a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was seen alive - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 11, 2023
Video of a huge vulture surrounded by a group of people is being shared on social media claiming that Jatayu (a mythical bird) of Ramayana is found alive for the first time in Kaliyug and gave Darshan in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Claim: Jatayu, a mythical bird from Ramayana, is found alive for first time in Kaliyug in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Fact: As per the media reports, Himalayan Griffon Vulture was rescued in Kanpur and locals handed it over to the forest department on 09 January 2023. Previously, there were several instances where these vultures were spotted and rescued by the public. Moreover, in 2016, the vulture-breeding centre at Pinjore, Haryana released a pair of these vultures to the wild for the first time after fostering them for 10 years. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Internet search with the relevant keywords revealed that a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was rescued in Kanpur and locals handed it over to the forest department on 09 January 2023. Currently, this ‘near-threatened’ bird is being monitored by a team of veterinarians at the Allen Forest Zoo’s veterinary hospital, reported Indian Express.
Uttar Pradesh | A Himalayan griffon vulture in Kanpur. When they brought it to us its legs were tied causing injuries. He was also in shock. It is unwell right now but we have given it treatment. It will be quarantined for a few days: Dr Anurag Singh, Dy Director Kanpur Zoo pic.twitter.com/hpfzaKCoTb
However, this is not the first time Himalayan Griffon Vulture was spotted. Earlier in 2016, a vulture belonging to the same species (G. himalayensis) was rescued on the banks of Dal Lake in Kashmir. Similarly, in 2018, 2020 & 2021, these vultures were spotted in Tamil Nadu, Singapore & Maharashtra respectively. Moreover, in 2016, the vulture-breeding centre at Pinjore, Haryana released a pair of these vultures to the wild for the first time after fostering them for 10 years.
To sum it up, this is not the first time a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was seen alive.

created: January 11, 2023


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This is not the first time Sonia Gandhi participated in Dusshera celebrations at Ramlila Maidan - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 10, 2022
In the context of recently concluded Navratri celebrations, an image of Sonia Gandhi applying Tilak to persons dressed as Lord Ram and Lakshman is being widely shared on social media implying that this is the first time, she participated in Dusshera celebrations at Ramlila Maidan. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Sonia Gandhi participating in Dusshera celebrations at Ramlila Maidan for the first time.
Fact:  This is not the first time Sonia Gandhi participated in Dusshera celebrations at Ramlila Maidan. Several pics of her participating in this event at least since 2006 are available online. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
We ran a reverse image search using the Viral image and found that the same image was shared by Congress Party’s Official twitter handle on 19 October 2018 during Dusshera Celebrations at Ramlila Maidan.
UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh join the #Dussehra festivities at the Dharmik Ramlila Committee. pic.twitter.com/ZZafHKazEo
We also found the old images of Sonia Gandhi participating in Dusshera celebrations at Ramlila Maidan and applying Tilak or performing rituals to the actors who dressed as Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman. Individual pictures can be seen here, here, here and here.
To sum it up, this is not the first time Sonia Gandhi Participated in Dusshera celebrations at Ramlila Maidan.

created: October 10, 2022


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This is not the funeral procession picture of the 2019 Sri Lankan blast victims - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 25, 2019
An image is being shared on Facebook by some users claiming that the image is taken at the funeral procession of the victims in the Sri Lankan bomb blasts (2019). Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.
The image posted is taken at the funeral procession of victims killed in the Sri Lankan Easter bombings (2019), allegedly carried out by the ISIS.
Fact: The image was taken way back in 2006 when people carried the coffins of 61 victims killed in a bomb attack at Kebitogollewa (Sri Lanka). Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When the image posted on Facebook is run through Google Reverse Image Search, the links to similar images can be found in the search results. As the image posted has ‘Getty Images’ written over it, the Getty Images link in the search results is opened. Then, it can be found that the photo was taken back in 2006.  The picture has the following description, “Sri Lankan mourners carry the coffins for 61 victims killed in a bomb attack at Kebitogollewa in north-central Sri Lanka, 16 June 2006. A powerful land mine ripped through an overcrowded bus 15 June, killing 64 people including 15 children, and wounded 80 others in an attack blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels, who have denied involvement.” So, the image is of the procession of 2006 blast victims, killed in the attack carried out by Tamil Tiger rebels.
Finally, this Sri Lankan funeral procession photo, being shared as the funeral procession of the victims in the Sri Lankan bomb blasts (2019) is actually that of 2006 blast victims, killed in the attack carried out by Tamil Tiger rebels.


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This is not the new look of the Indian Passport, it’s just a concept - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 19, 2019
A post is being shared on Facebook by many users claiming that the images posted represent the new look of the Indian passport. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.
The archived version of the post can be found here.
The New Smart Passport -Concept of the future is here. The All-in-One Identity Solution for every Indian Citizen very soon.
The images posted are just concept arts. Hence the claim made in the post is
When images posted on Facebook are run through a Google Reverse Image search, a link to a ‘Medium’ article published two years back can be found in the search results. When looked at the article, it can found that the images were designed by a concept artist to showcase his skills and propose an alternative to the existing passport. In the article, a link to his blog can also be found, where the concept arts of Aadhaar can also be found.
Finally, it’s just a concept art; not the new look of the Indian Passport.


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This is not the picture of Chatrapati Shivaji inside London Museum - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 7, 2020
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as the original picture of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the London museum. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Original picture of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the London museum.
Fact: While it is true that there is a painting of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the London Museum, it is not the same as the one shown in the post. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched for this painting in ‘The British Museum’ website, we did not find the painting with this picture. It is true that there is a painting of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the London Museum. However, the picture of the painting inside the London Museum is not the one shown in the post. There is a Chatrapati Shivaji painting inside the ‘Portrait of Indian Princes’ album of ‘The British Museum’ website and it can be seen here.
On reverse image search, a similar photo of the painting was found in an article published in the blog of ‘Bharat Gyan’. In the description of the photo, it is mentioned as the only live sketch of Shivaji Maharaj discovered by historian V S Bendrey.
But, in our research, we found out that this painting was not discovered by V S Bendrey. Vasudev Sitaram Bendrey is a well-known historian from Maharashtra who is famous for his research and findings of Sambhaji Maharaj, Tukaram Maharaj and Shivaji Maharaj. He is the person who found the real image of Shivaji Maharaj. In 1664 AD, Dutch Governor of Surat Von Valentyn had commissioned the paintings of Shivaji Maharaj and other princes. During his research in Europe, Vasudev Sitaram Bendrey found these paintings and published it for the first time in 1933. Until this picture was published, most people attributed a picture of Muslim Sardar to that of Shivaji. Photo published by Vasudev Sitaram Bendrey is still referred to as the original picture of Shivaji Maharaj in many sites.
To sum it up, the picture in the post is not the painting  inside the London Museum.

created: September 7, 2020


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This is not the retrofitted Boeing 777-300 ER (‘Air India One’) which will be used to fly VVIPs including PM Modi - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 8, 2020
Recently, one of the two aircrafts which will be used to fly VVIPs landed in India after getting retrofitted in the USA. A photo is being shared on social media with a claim that it shows the interior of the aircraft made for PM Modi at the cost of 8600 crore rupees. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Interior photo of the PM Modi’s aircraft which was built at the cost of 8600 crore rupees.
Fact: The posted photo is old and shows a ‘Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’, not the retrofitted Boeing 777-300 ER (‘Air India One (AI-160)’) which will be used for VVIP operations in India. While the exact cost is not known, the government has allocated a total of around 4,632 crore rupees in the previous three budgets. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When the image in the photo was run through Google Reverse Image Search, the same interior photo was found to be uploaded by multiple websites. In ‘The Times’ article published in 2017, it can be read that the photo shows a ‘Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’, not the retrofitted Boeing 777-300 ER (‘Air India One (AI-160)’) which will be used for VVIP operations in India. The same photo can be found here, here, and here.
The interior photos of the retrofitted Boeing 777-300 ER can be seen in the ‘News18’ photo gallery.
While the exact cost of the two aircrafts is not known (media reports mentioned that it is estimated to be around Rs 8,400 crore), it was found that the Central government in the Budgets (2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21) has allocated a total of around 4,632 crores for the ‘Purchase of two new aircraft for Special Extra Section Flight operations’.
To sum it up, the posted picture does not show the retrofitted Boeing 777-300 ER (‘Air India One’) which will be used to fly PM Modi and other VVIPs. The aircraft in the photo is a ‘Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’.

created: October 8, 2020


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This is not the video of Indian Air Force attacking Pakistan - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 26, 2019
A video is being shared as the Indian Air Force attack on Pakistan by many pages on Facebook. Let’s try to analyze whether there is any truth in the video posted on Facebook.
The video shows the Indian Air Force attack carried out on POK.
The video posted is a game video. So, the claim of it being Indian Air Force attack video is
When the video posted on Facebook is divided into frames using Invid software and a Google Reverse Image Search on the frames is done, a similar YouTube video posted four years back can be found. The video found is a game video from which the initial titles are removed and posted on Facebook as Indian Air Force attack video. Also, a YouTube search with keywords ‘Taliban US Apache Simulator’ can lead to the original video posted on YouTube.
Finally, the video posted on Facebook as Indian Air Force attack video is actually a game video.

created: February 26, 2019


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Naga sadhus were not rallying in support of CAA and NRC. It's an old video. - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 10, 2020
A video is being shared on Facebook with a claim that, in Haridwar, Naga sadhus have rallied in support of CAA and NRC. Let’s try to analyse the authenticity of the claim made in the post.
A video of Naga sadhus rallying in support of CAA and NRC in Haryana.
Fact: It can be seen that the video in the post was uploaded on YouTube in March, 2019. There is no relation between the video and the recent rallies held in support of CAA and NRC. So, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When the screenshots of the video in the post was searched using ‘Yandex’ reverse image technique, some videos were seen in the search results. In one of those search results, a video was posted on Twitter as a Kumbh Mela video in March 2019. It can also be seen here that the same video was posted by a user on YouTube in March 2019. However, there is no certainty that the video was taken during the Kumbh Mela. But, the video doesn’t have any relation to the recent rallies held in support of CAA and NRC.
To summarize, an old video is being falsely shared as Naga sadhus rallying in support of CAA and NRC in Haridwar.
Did you watch our video on the 10 Most Ridiculous Fake News of the Year 2019?

created: January 10, 2020


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This is the Government's 3rd recorded attempt to amend the RTI act - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 18, 2018
The NDA government has included the RTI amendment bill in the legislative agenda of this monsoon session of parliament. This will be the Government’s 3rd recorded attempt to amend the RTI act since 2005.
The government has included amendments to the Right to Information act (RTI) in the proposed legislative business of the monsoon session of parliament beginning today. It has refused to disclose any information about the proposed amendments. This is the 3rd recorded attempt by the government to amend the RTI act since its enactment in 2005. It has to be noted that act has not been amended since 2005 despite attempts by the government.
Amendments were first proposed in 2006
Amendments to the RTI act were first proposed by the government in the year 2006. This was just one year into the enactment of the RTI. In July 2006, the cabinet approved amendments to the RTI act targeted at exempting ‘File Notings’ from RTI. ‘File Notings’ are written remarks recorded on a paper/file under consideration to facilitate its disposal. Notes are recorded by bureaucrats, ministers etc. Hence this becomes an important part of the information to understand the rationale for a particular decision/action.
Following public pressure, these amendments were not introduced in the house. The government later clarified that file notings have to be disclosed under RTI.
Political Parties & RTI – reason for the 2nd attempt
In June 2013, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in its historic order, declared the six national political parties as public authorities under RTI. Following the CIC order, all the political parties were united in their opposition to this order. The amendment aimed at excluding political parties from the ambit of RTI, there by nullifying the CIC order, was introduced in Lok Sabha in August 2013. But it was not considered or debated because of public pressure.
3rd attempt now by the NDA
The current amendment is being proposed by the NDA government, apparently to transfer the power of fixing the tenure & salaries of Information Commissioners to the Central government. Though the government has not  officially made the amendment public, contents available in the public domain indicate the government’s plan. Not putting the proposed amendment in the public domain is a violation of the pre legislative consultation policy.
The contents available in the public domain indicate two broad things
The Central Government’s taking over of fixing the tenure & salaries of the Information Commissioners will be a body blow to the autonomy & independence of the Information Commission. Though the Information Commissioners perform a statutory function and not a constitutional function, the parliamentary standing committee that looked into the RTI bill in 2004 supported conferring the status of Chief Election Commissioner on the Chief Information Commissioner. Incidentally, the current President of India, Ram Nath Kovind was a member of this committee in 2004.
Former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi has written this piece on why citizens need to be vigilant against such attempts by the government and what could be the possible impact of such amendments
Multiple Private Member bills
As per information on the Lok Sabha website, at least 5 private member bills were introduced in the house suggesting amendments to the RTI act. The information on two of the bills is not available.


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This is what the Government claims it has done for the Kashmiri Pandits - Factly
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 22, 2016
This month marked 26 years of the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits from the valley after rise in militancy and amid threats & fear of persecution. While successive governments have claimed to have done a lot for the Kashmiri Pandits, the Pandits are still unhappy with every political party in power. Here is a list of claims made by the Government of India for the relief & rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.
This month marked 26 years of the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits from the valley after rise in militancy and amid threats & fear of persecution. Since then, the issue of rehabilitation of the pandits has been a reason for another political slugfest. Every party that took reigns at the center has promised to do justice to them. Even after 26 years of the mass exodus, the prominent voice of the Pandits, actor Anupam Kher has said that every political party failed them when it came to rehabilitation.
But what does the government have to say about all this? In reply to an application under RTI, the Union Home Ministry has listed the steps taken by the Government of India for rehabilitation and justice to the Kashmiri Pandits since 1998.
More than 5000 two room tenements
According to MHA, a total of 5242 two room tenements were constructed under the Prime Minister’s package 2004 in four different locations of Jammu (Purkhoo, Muthi, Nagrota & Jagti). The reply also says that these were allotted to the migrants who were living in various one room tenements, government buildings & temples etc in Jammu. The MHA also claimed that 200 flats were constructed in Sheikhpora of Budgam district and allotted on a sharing basis to the migrants who joined the government service under the employment component of Prime Minister’s package -2008.
Comprehensive Package of 2008
MHA says that the government has announced a comprehensive package of Rs 1618.4 crore in 2008 for the return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits. This amount was to be used for multiple purposes like
The MHA says that 1963 pandits have been provided state government jobs till November 2015 under this scheme. It also says that only one family has availed the benefit of Rs 7.5 lakh for the construction of a house. 469 transit accommodations have also been constructed under the scheme.
Cash Relief to families living in Jammu & Delhi
In the year 1990, the Jammu & Kashmir government provided cash relief of Rs 250/- per family and free ration after registering the migrant families. With effect from 1 May 2015, the cash relief has been enhanced to Rs 2500/- per head per month (subject to a maximum of Rs 10000/- per family per month). The cash relief is said to be provided to the eligible 18250 families in Jammu and 3385 families in Delhi.
Security Related Expenditure for Return & Rehabilitation (SRE)
The expenditure incurred by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir is reimbursed by the Government of India under Security Related Expenditure for Return & Rehabilitation (SRE). Since 1989-90, a total of 1579 crore rupees have been provided to the Government of J & K by the Central Government under this head.
Claims versus Reality
There has to be a detailed enquiry to understand if the claims of the government are true. But a cursory glance at the list of beneficiaries of the SRE under Return & Rehabilitation of the Poonch District reveals a very sorry picture. Not a single Pandit has received any benefit under this scheme in the Poonch District.

created: January 22, 2016


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This Karnataka school question paper focuses only on the first two lessons, in line with the syllabus - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 19, 2023
An image of a Social Studies question paper from S.M.S English Medium School in Brahmavar, Karnataka, designed for 7th standard students for the month of June 2023, is currently circulating widely on social media. The claim being made in the post suggests that the questions asked in the paper are exclusively related to Muslims and other communities, indicating bias against Hinduism by the school management. Let’s verify the authenticity of the claim made in the post.
Claim: S.M.S English Medium School in Karnataka designed a Social Studies question paper for 7th standard students, which exclusively asked questions related to Muslim and other communities, indicating bias against Hinduism.
Fact: The allegation of prejudice in the Social Studies question paper at S.M.S English Medium School has been refuted by the school management. The first-month lessons covered topics on Christianity, Islam, crusades, the Mongols, and renaissance as per the prescribed syllabus. These topics were then included in the unit test for 7th standard students. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
An internet search with the relevant keywords led us to a news report by the local media outlet Daiji World. According to the report, after the image of the question paper went viral with baseless allegations, the management of S.M.S English Medium Schools organized a press meeting on 13 July 2023 to clarify the issue to the public and the parents of their school students.
Abhilasha Hande, principal of S.M.S English Medium CBSE School, confirmed that the first-month lessons covered ‘Major Developments in the World’ and ‘Beginning of the Modern Age-Renaissance.’ The related topics on Christianity, Islam, the Crusades, the Mongols, and Renaissance were included in the unit test based on the prescribed syllabus, prepared with no bad intention.
Abhilasha addressed the misinformation on social media, where some wrongly depicted the questions and claimed bias and religious usage in education at the institution. She emphasized that the facts were twisted, causing fear among parents of both SMS English Medium School (CBSE) and SMS English Medium School (state syllabus). She highlighted the school’s history of providing education in Brahmavar, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds with a secular approach. The school fosters fraternity through activities like yoga, Bharatnatyam, Yakshagana, and other Indian cultural events.
We also found that the schools in Karnataka reopened only at the end of May, and the lesson content in the textbook of social studies for class 7 matched the details mentioned by the school management in the press meeting.
Furthermore, we have contacted the school management and requested them to provide us with the final question papers from the previous academic year. This post will be updated once we obtain the required information.
To summarize, the first-month lessons for 7th-standard students at S.M.S English Medium School covered topics on Christianity, Islam, the Crusades, the Mongols, and Renaissance, following the prescribed syllabus. These topics were subsequently included in the unit test.


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This ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’ website inviting applications using the name of Ministry of Skill Development is fraudulent - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 13, 2023
A widely circulated website, ‘kbkbygov.online,’ is asking individuals to register for a free application to allegedly access the benefits of a government scheme named ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana.’ The website claims that they are affiliated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: This website is inviting applications ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’ scheme under the Ministry of Skill Development.
Fact: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is not implementing any such scheme with the name ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’. The purported website inviting applications with the name ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’ is fake and is not associated with the Ministry of Skill Development in any way. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
The URL link of the purported ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’ website is not affiliated in any way with the official Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship website of the Government of India. Upon entering the requested information in the application and clicking the submit button, the website directs you to another page with a message stating, “Dear Applicant, your application has been successfully accepted. You can also share it on WhatsApp with your friends to apply so that your friends can also avail of the benefits of this scheme, thank you” (when translated from Hindi to English). No government website provides such options after the application process.
The domain ‘kbkbygov.online’ was registered in September 2023 by “HOSTINGER operations, UAB.” According to information obtained from the ‘Whois’ website, the registrant’s location was identified in the state of Massachusetts, United States.
The list of schemes implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship can be seen here. The Ministry of Skill Development is not implementing any scheme with the name ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’. ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat’ is a tagline used by the government for the Skill India initiative. But no scheme with the name ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’ was implemented by the government.
Earlier, the PIB Fact Check issued multiple clarifications regarding similar fake websites claiming to be associated with the Ministry of Skill Development. We reached out to PIB Fact Check for further clarification regarding this viral website. This article will be updated once we receive a response from them.
To sum it up, this ‘Kaushal Bharat Kushal Bharat Yojana’ website claimed to be associated with the Ministry of Skill Development scheme is fraudulent.

created: November 13, 2023


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This leaflet informing symptoms and precautionary measures of heat-related illnesses was not issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 19, 2023
A post is being shared on social media claiming that it is a leaflet provided by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for people to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses. Amid the searing summer temperatures and rising deaths due to sun strokes in Thane and other parts of Mumbai, the post claims that the Thane Municipal Corporation issued this leaflet cautioning people about the symptoms and precautionary measures of heat-related illnesses. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Guidelines issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation for people to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.
Fact: The post shares a leaflet or pamphlet published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the US government. The leaflet was not issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation. Hence, the claim made in the post is Misleading.
On observing the photo carefully, one could see the watermark of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the bottom left of the leaflet. When we searched for this leaflet using relevant keywords on the internet, we found the same leaflet on the official website of the CDC. CDC published this leaflet with the description, “Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Learn the symptoms and what to do if you or a loved one shows signs of having a heat-related illness.”
When we searched to check whether the Thane Municipal Corporation had issued any such advisories related to heat-related illnesses, we could not find any such leaflet or press note on the official website of Thane Municipal Corporation. In view of rising temperatures in Mumbai and the widespread criticism after 13 people died of heatstroke at the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ award event on 16 April 2023 in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the Public Health Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reportedly issued guidelines to protect oneself from heat-related complications. Reporting these guidelines issued by the BMC, several news websites published articles. They can be seen here and here. But the leaflet shared in the post was neither issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation nor the BMC.
To sum it up, this leaflet informing symptoms and precautionary measures of heat-related illnesses was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not the Thane Municipal Corporation.


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This letter asking to integrate recruits enrolled after 2019 into the Agnipath scheme is fake - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 21, 2022
In light of the recently announced Agnipath scheme for army recruitment, a social post accompanying a purported letter  in the name of Additional Secretary to Government of India, asking the chief of tri-services to integrate all the ‘ORs enrolled after 01 January 2019 & those not promoted to a substantive rank of Naik or equivalent’ into the Agnipath scheme is being widely shared. The letter further lists out the regulations to be followed with respect to these recruits. Through this article let’s fact-check the authenticity of the letter shared in the post.
Claim: Additional Secretary to GoI’s letter asking to integrate the jawans/airmen/sailors enrolled after 2019 into the Agnipath scheme.
Fact:  Agnipath scheme is related to the future recruitments. There are no reports stating  recruits who enrolled after 01 January 2019 and failed to be promoted to a substantive rank of Naik or equivalent will be integrated into the Agnipath scheme. PIB has clarified rated the letter as fake, saying the Defence ministry has not issued any such letter. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Government of India recently announced the Agnipath scheme for recruiting the soldiers across the tri-services and the government has also released the first recruitment notification under this scheme. However, the scheme is related to the future recruitments and is not applicable to the already recruited soldiers.
Further, there are no reports stating that recruits who enrolled after 01 January 2019 and failed to be promoted to a substantive rank of Naik or equivalent, will also be integrated into the Agnipath scheme. If at all this news is true, media would have reported it. However, we could not find any such reports. Even while announcing the scheme, officials did not mention anything in line with the claim.
Further, as the letter went viral on social media, PIB has clarified that the letter is fake. Through a tweet, PIB stated that Defence ministry has not issued this letter.
Claim: ORs attested after 1 Jan 2019 & those not promoted to a substantive rank of Naik or equivalent on 1 July 2022 are to be kept under #AgnipathScheme #PIBFactCheck
▶This letter is #Fake
▶@DefenceMinIndia has not issued this letter pic.twitter.com/79SEUU1hHv
To sum it up, this letter asking to integrate the recruits enrolled after 2019 into the Agnipath scheme is fake.


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This letter attributed to Nothing mobile, which reads "this device is not for south Indian people", is fake - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 14, 2022
A post is doing rounds on social media which shows a letter that says “this device is not for south Indian people”. #NothingPhone1 #dearnoting is also being used along with the post. The letter is attributed to ‘Nothing’ smartphone company which  launched their smartphone in India. Let us fact-check this claim.
Claim: A letter from Nothing mobile company states that their device is not for south Indian people.
Fact: Telugu tech YouTuber ‘Prasadtechintelugu’ made a video in which he is seen talking about regional youtube channels not receiving mobile review units from ‘Nothing smartphone’ company and various other smartphone brands. He featured a fake letter in his video. The image in the post which shows a letter is a screengrab from his video. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
After following the hashtag in the post, we found multiple posts on Twitter mentioning the YouTube channel named Prasadtechin Telugu.
#DearNothing Hindi language viewers count… And religion language viewers count….
prasadtechintelugu….
We love Prasad Anna…❤ pic.twitter.com/b7erV1U2y6
After a brief investigation, we found that he made a video titled: ‘Nothing phone unboxing‘ in which he can be seen opening a smartphone box containing a letter that reads,” Hi Prasad, this device is not for south Indian people. ThankYou.”
He later talks about how other smartphone brands and not just Nothing Brand, ignore regional tech creators by not sending them their smartphone review units. Creators from the tech YouTube space in India usually get review units from smartphone companies before the official release to review them and post a video on their channel. It is usually the company’s discretion as to who is sent these review units.
After he uploaded the video, users on social media started posting boycott messages against the Nothing phone1. Various hashtags like  #NothingPhone1 #dearnoting, and #BoycottNothing were used. It turned into a South India vs. North India Debate. Those posts can be seen here,  here and here.
Respect  south Indian States #DearNothing pic.twitter.com/rHrXXag3zN
‘Nothing India’ has later released an official statement on the incident. Talking about the fake letter the statement said, ‘Misrepresentation and Misleading claims are absolutely not acceptable.’
pic.twitter.com/MnUcqnaj4N
‘YouTuber’ Prasad has since deleted the video from his YouTube channel. But a short clip from it can be watched here . He later uploaded another video in which he  clarified that the letter was created by him and was not sent by the ‘Nothing smartphone’ brand. The ironical part of the whole thing is that even the original post’s description acknowledges the fact that letter was not sent by Nothing and they created the post to talk about smartphone brands not sending review units to South Indian tech channels.
To sum it up, viral image of a letter attributing to Nothing mobile, which reads “this device is not for south Indian people”, is fake and done on purpose by a Tech YouTuber to highlight the alleged apathy of smartphone brands towards south indian content creators.


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This letter with Dubai Sunni Association's offer of financial aid to Muslims to vote for Congress is Fake - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 10, 2024
A letter is being widely shared on social media claiming that the ‘Association for Sunni Muslims’ in Dubai/UAE is offering financial assistance to Muslims to vote for the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections and other states (here & here). In this letter, it is stated that the aim is to bring Congress back to power, and for that, they will provide air tickets to those who are going to vote in the Indian elections. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: The ‘Association for Sunni Muslims’ in Dubai is offering financial support to Muslims who vote for the Congress party in the current elections in India.
Fact: We could not find any information about a Sunni association in Dubai/UAE called the ‘Association for Sunni Muslims’. Additionally, the address listed in the letter corresponds to the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai. One of the phone numbers provided in the letter belongs to a coffee machine company in Dubai. This evidence clearly indicates that the letter being circulated is fake. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Initially, an online search for information regarding the association mentioned in the viral letter did not produce any results indicating the presence of such an association in Dubai/UAE. If such an organization existed and had indeed extended such an offer, it would have garnered wide media coverage. However, we could not find any news reports on this matter.
Additionally, a Google Maps search for the address listed in the viral letter (#2-11th Street Khalid Bin Waleed Road Plot No. Umm Hurair One Dubai United Arab Emirates) revealed that it is the location of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai.
Moreover, one of the three mobile numbers listed in the letter is registered as a business account on WhatsApp and belongs to Dallmayr, a German coffee machine company with a branch in Dubai. Their Instagram account confirms this. These details indicate that the letter being circulated is fake. We have also reached out to the other two numbers via WhatsApp to inquire about the letter. This article will be updated as soon as we receive their responses.
To sum up, this letter claiming a Sunni association is offering financial aid to Muslims for voting for Congress is Fake.


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This letter from PM Modi to UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Ram Mandir is fake - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 12, 2020
A letter purportedly written by PM Modi to UP CM Yogi Adityanath congratulating him for his contribution towards ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and Ram Mandir is being shared by some users on social media. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Photo of PM Modi’s letter to UP CM Yogi Adityanath congratulating him for his contribution towards ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and Ram Mandir.
Fact: The letter in the post is fake. The ‘Press Information Bureau’ has clarified on Twitter that the letter is fake. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
The letter is purportedly written by PM Modi in his official capacity to UP CM Yogi Adityanath. So, the use of the word – ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and congratulating a State CM for contributing towards a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ by the PM is highly unlikely as India is a Secular State and the PM in his official capacity would not refer to India as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ (Hindu State).
Also, when we searched further regarding the letter, it was found that the ‘Press Information Bureau’ has already clarified regarding this issue. They have tweeted that the letter is ‘fake’.
Claim: A Facebook user, has posted a letter, allegedly written by PM @narendramodi to Chief Minister of #UttarPradesh @myogiadityanath#PIBFactCheck: This letter is #Fake pic.twitter.com/9dHdcEEMu4
To sum it up, this letter purportedly written by PM Modi to UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Ram Mandir is fake.
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This list that compares COVID-19 symptoms with other infections is not released by AIIMS - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 6, 2022
A social media post comparing symptoms of COVID-19 with that of other infections is being shared attributing it to the pathology department of AIIMS, Delhi. We have also received a similar query on our WhatsApp tip line (+91 9247052470). Through this article, let’s fact-check the authenticity of the symptoms list shared in the post.
Claim: Comparison of respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 with other infections shared by pathology department of AIIMS, Delhi.
Fact: This list that compares the symptoms is not released by AIIMS. Although the symptoms of COVID-19 as given in this list are true but incomplete, the list misses out the condition of asymptomatic cases. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
The same list of comparisons is doing rounds on social media since 2020. Social media posts that shared the same list attributing it to AIIMS can be seen here.
However, we found that AIIMS Delhi has not issued any such comparison of symptoms of COVID-19, flu, and common cold. AIIMS has a dedicated portal for COVID-19. This portal has listed symptoms of the COVID-19 similar to those shared in the post, but there is no comparison of symptoms of COVID-19 with that of the other diseases.
AIIMS has listed fever, tiredness, and dry cough as the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Moreover, some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea.
However, the viral post has ignored the case of asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, wherein some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. WHO, CDC, and AIIMS have mentioned this.
To sum it up, this list that compares COVID-19 symptoms with other infections is not released by AIIMS.

created: January 6, 2022


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This lockdown 4.0 schedule was not released by the central government - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 20, 2020
A post is being shared on social media with a claim that it’s the schedule of the days and time various shops are to follow during the latest lockdown 4.0. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
The government has released a category wise schedule to be followed by various shops during lockdown 4.0.
Fact: The schedule shared in the post is not part of the guidelines released by the central government on 17 May 2020. The central government has mentioned that all shops (barring shopping malls and a few others) could be opened except in the containment zones. However, some state governments have made a decision to open shops on alternate days. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When searched about the posted schedule in the guidelines issued by the central government on 17 May 2020, it was found that no such schedule has been released by the central government. The central government said all shops (other than shopping malls) could be opened except in containment zones. To ensure social distancing, it has asked all shops and markets to open with staggered timings but hasn’t announced the schedule shared in the post.
However, few state governments have taken a decision to open shops on alternate days in few cities, details of which can be read here, here and here. For instance, Telangana government has given permission to open shops in all places except those in the containment zones. However, according to the latest GO, all shops in the GHMC area (Hyderabad) will function on alternate days, so that no two adjacent shops will function on the same day. Furthermore, no information was found anywhere about the central government releasing such a schedule as shared in the post.
To summarize, the central government did not release any category wise schedule that has to be followed by various shops during lockdown 4.0.
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This man caught cheating on his wife is not the district president of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Agra - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 23, 2022
A post is being shared on social media where a woman is seen thrashing a man and another woman covering her face with a dupatta. The post claims that the man in the video is the district president of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who is caught cheating on his wife with a co-worker. There are a few other posts also doing the rounds on the internet (here and here). Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post through this article.
Claim: The Aam Aadmi Party district president, Agra, was caught cheating on his wife with a co-worker.
Fact: As per media reports, the man in the video was caught by his wife cheating on her in a hotel room His name is Dinesh;  he reportedly works at a hospital in Agra. The Aam Aadmi Party’s district president of Agra, Dheeraj Baghel, has clarified through a tweet that he is not the person seen in the video. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
We ran a keyword search on the internet and found multiple news reports about the video. They can be read here, here and here. As per these reports, a man was caught cheating on his wife with another woman in a hotel room in Agra. Neelam, the man’s wife, reached the hotel and hit his husband, Dinesh and the other woman.
As per the reports of Aaj Tak and ETV Bharath, Dinesh works as an ICU in-charge at a hospital in Agra.
Under the tweet of Zee News journalist Tushar Srivastava, a person named Dheeraj Baghel commented that he is the district president of the Aam Aadmi Party, Agra and clarified that he is not the person who is getting beaten in the video. His photo does not match the person in the video. Tushar Srivastava had later deleted his tweet.
To sum up, this man caught cheating on his wife is not the district president of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Agra.

created: September 23, 2022


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This man did not die while doing Namaz; He just fainted and is in good condition - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 19, 2022
Image of a person prostrating & covered with a cloth is being widely shared on social media claiming that he died while doing Namaz in Medina. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Image shows a person who died while performing Namaz in Medina.
Fact: This incident took place on 18 March 2022 in Medina, Saudi Arabia. An unidentified man fell unconscious while offering the Friday prayers. He was quickly covered with a prayer rug and immediately evacuated by ambulance. He was later declared alive. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
We ran a reverse image search and found that the same photo was published in several Gulf media websites. They can be seen here, here and here. As per these reports, this incident took place on 18 March 2022 at Masjid Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, Saudi Arabia. An unidentified man fell unconscious while offering the Friday prayers. Security staff was alerted shortly. He was quickly covered with a prayer rug and immediately evacuated by ambulance. According to the spokesman of Red Crescent Authority in Medina, the man was declared alive by the ambulatory team stationed at Masjid Nabawi and he has been transferred to a local hospital for further treatment.
This photo has gone viral when the official twitter account of Masjid Nabawi shared it by mistakenly considering him as dead. However, they soon apologised and clarified that it was a case of fainting and the man was in good condition.
The news we have got || “My brothers who called an ambulance in the Prophet’s Mosque for the man said it was a case of fainting and that the brother is in good condition, apologies for the mistake” pic.twitter.com/aVQWPxOmCr
To sum it up, the image shows a fainted man while performing Namaz in Medina. He was declared alive after treatment and is in good condition.

created: December 19, 2022


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This man sitting on the ground is not Afghanistan’s Home Minister; He is Helmand Province Governor Mawlavi Abdul Ahad - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 28, 2022
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as a picture of Afghanistan’s Home Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, sitting on the ground and serving his people in the country. Sharing the photo, this post states that power does not mean just a chair but justice for humanity in Afghanistan. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of Afghanistan Home Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani sitting on the ground and serving his people in the country.
Fact: The man sitting on the ground in the photo is Mawlavi Abdul Ahad, the governor of the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. This photo was captured in November 2021, during Abdul Ahad’s visit to the Deshu district. The photo is old and has nothing to do with Afghanistan’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani. 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 published by a ‘Nitter’ user on 09 February 2022. Sharing the photo, this user described it as a picture of the Governor of Helmand province in Afghanistan interacting with the civilians during a patrol.
When we searched for reliable sources using these keywords, we found the same photo in a tweet made by the official Twitter handle of the Helmand Department of Borders and Tribal Affairs on 29 November 2021. Sharing a collage of images, this Twitter handle described it as the pictures taken during the Mawlavi Abdul Ahad’s visit to the Deshu district in Afghanistan. Mawlavi Abdul Ahad, also known as the Mawlavi Taliban, is the Governor of the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. An Afghan journalist named Shafiq Rahimi has also tweeted the same images with a similar description on 30 November 2021.
وویل چې ستاسو جهاد، قربانۍ او خدمتونه د هېرېدلو نه دي، موږ به تل ستاسو منندوی او شکر ګذاره یو، تاسو په ډېرو سختو حالاتو کې زموږ سره همکاري کړې ده. او موږ مو یوازي نه یو پرې ایښي. نوموړي د خپل خوا هم د هر راز همکارۍ ډاډ ورکړ. pic.twitter.com/ZYAaaFplPX
Lately, after the deadly earthquake in Paktika and Khost provinces of Afghanistan, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, visited the injured victims in Paktika and directed officials to accelerate the aid process to the vulnerable. A picture of Sirajuddin Haqqani sitting on the ground and interacting with an earthquake victim can be seen here. But the photo shared in the post is old and has nothing to do with Sirajuddin Haqqani.
#Earthquake: Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting Minister of Interior, has visited earthquake victims at a hospital in Paktika. He instructed doctors and hospital officials to use all available facilities to treat the injured. | #Afghanistan #Paktika #ArianaNews pic.twitter.com/U9kPBzxKlR
To sum it up, the person sitting on the ground in the photo is Afghanistan’s Helmand Province Governor Mawlavi Abdul Ahad, not the Home Minister of Afghanistan.


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This man was beaten for misbehaving with a woman, not for asking her to remove her head covering - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 22, 2022
A video is being shared widely on social media with the following claim – “This Sanghi asked a woman to remove cloth covering head, because he thought only Muslim ladies do that, watch the response he got”. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of a man getting thrashed for asking a woman to remove her head covering (hijab).
Fact: The man in the video was thrashed for misbehaving with the woman. None of the news reports mention him asking the woman to remove the head covering. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When the screenshots of the video were run through Google Reverse Image Search, news reports regarding the incident in the video were found in the search results. According to the ‘NaiDunia’ article, the incident took place in Madhya Pradesh. The man in the video was reportedly thrashed for misbehaving with the woman. In the video, one can also hear the woman challenging him to touch her while beating.
More information regarding the incident can be also read here, here, and here. The news agencies reported the incident to be a case of molestation. None of the news reports mentioned that the man getting thrashed in the video asked the woman to remove the head covering.
To sum it up, the man in the posted video was beaten for misbehaving with a woman, not for asking her to remove her head covering.


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This man was not beaten for hoisting blue colour BSP flag instead of National flag - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 17, 2020
A video is being shared on social media claiming that police thrashed a man for hoisting the blue colour BSP party flag instead of tricolour National Flag on Independence day. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Police thrashing a person for hoisting the BSP flag on Independence day.
Fact: In the video,  the man was thrashed by police for violating the lockdown rules during the month of March 2020. It has nothing to do with the BSP and Independence day celebrations. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On reverse image search of screenshots in the video, we found a similar photo in an article published by ‘Patrika’ news website on ‘25 March 2020’. In the article, it is mentioned that police were thrashing the people who violated the lockdown rules imposed by the Government of India. The same video was posted by ‘Amar Ujala’ news website mentioning it as the punishment for violating the lockdown restrictions.
On clearly observing the video, we could see the logo of Maharashtra police on the police vehicle. This incident in the video most probably took place in Maharashtra.
Also, by closely observing the flag in the video, we found out that it is the Republic Party of India (Athawale) flag. It is an old video related to police punishment for violating lockdown restrictions imposed by the Government of India.
To sum it up, an old video related to the police punishment for violating the lockdown restrictions is being falsely shared as the punishment for hoisting blue colour BSP flag instead of tricolour National flag.
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This message about KBC and Reliance Jio jointly offering a lottery worth 25 lakh rupees is fake - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 6, 2021
A message is being widely shared on social media claiming that KBC-Jio Department is organizing a lottery of 25 lakh rupees. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: KBC and Reliance Jio offers 25 lakh rupees as lottery.
Fact: There is no such lottery offered by KBC and Reliance Jio. Several reports were found online where such KBC scams have been reported for several years. Delhi Police have created a dedicated webpage explaining the KBC Lottery Frauds. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched on the internet about a KBC lottery, a Delhi Police website about KBC Lottery Frauds was found. According to the website, the claim that a mobile number won a lottery jointly organised by Kaun Banega Crorepati and Reliance Jio worth 25 lakh rupees is a fraud. “Any message informing that you have won a lottery or a prize, is, in all likelihood, a fraud.”
Recently, a housewife in Mumbai was lured into paying 3.85 lakh on the pretext that she won a KBC lottery. Several such reports were found online where such KBC scams have been reported for several years.
PIB Fact Check had tweeted about a similar claim when such messages about the KBC lottery have gone viral via calls, e-mails, and messages.
फोन कॉल, ई-मेल और मैसेज पर धोखेबाजों द्वारा यह #फ़र्ज़ी दावा किया जा रहा है कि प्राप्तकर्ता ने ₹25,00,000 की लॉटरी जीती है। #PIBFactCheck
▶ऐसे लॉटरी स्कैम से सावधान रहें।
▶ इस तरह के कॉल, मेल और मैसेज पर अपनी निजी जानकारी साझा ना करें।
🔗https://t.co/qQYdoRZuMn pic.twitter.com/3hamEuleFc
To sum it up, this message about KBC and Reliance Jio jointly offering a lottery worth 25 lakh rupees is fake.

created: December 6, 2021


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This message in relation to Puneeth Rajkumar’s death is not given by Dr. Devi Shetty - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 1, 2021
A message about fitness, age, and exercising in moderation is being widely shared through a post attributing the message to Dr. Devi Shetty. The message went viral after Puneeth Rajkumar from the Kannada film industry passed away after a sudden cardiac arrest on 29 October 2021. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Message by Dr. Devi Shetty in relation to Puneeth Rajkumar’s death.
Fact: The message is not given by Dr. Devi Shetty. Narayana Health, of which Dr. Devi Shetty is the Chairman and Executive Director, had given out a statement denying that it is made by him. The doctor confirmed to ‘The Indian Express’ that the message was a fake and he expressed his anguish at his name being used to misguide the public. Dr. Devanand NS, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru said, “Exercise is not bad, because of what happened to Puneeth. You should do what is required for you. What suits one may not suit another. I think there is only one lesson here – everything in moderation is good“. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
There are no recent news reports which say that the message was given by Dr. Devi Shetty in relation to Kannada Actor Puneeth Rajkumar’s death. However, Dr. Devi Shetty talks about heart conditions in Indians in a discussion he took part in Times Now on 29 October 2021. Dr. Devi Shetty calls Puneeth, “truly a Hero in real life”. He also says, “as a Doctor I do not like to discuss about the patient’s condition and the events.” He refuses to talk specifically about Puneeth Rajkumar. He speaks in a general sense, saying that every 40-year-old male is a heart patient unless proven otherwise and recommends certain tests to people who routinely exert themselves in the gym. Dr. Devi Shetty does not say the things written in the message.
Indians are genetically 3 times more vulnerable for heart attack than Europeans. Every 40-yr-old male Indian is a heart patient unless proven otherwise: Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman & Executive Director, Narayana Health, tells Rahul Shivshankar on INDIA UPFRONT. | #PuneethNoMore pic.twitter.com/RmFqTwOaaY
Dr. Devi Shetty is the Chairman and Executive Director of Narayana Health, which operates a network of hospitals across the country, with a strong presence in Karnataka. Narayana Health issued a statement through Twitter about the viral message that is attributed to Dr. Devi Shetty. The statement reads, “NH would like to clarify that this forwarded message supposedly from Dr. Devi Shetty, is fake and did not originate from his office. Any reference or attribution made to him is incorrect.”
pic.twitter.com/SMKBZtyj6W
As the message was going viral on WhatsApp, the Indian Express got in touch with the Doctor who confirmed that the message is fake. “The doctor confirmed The Indian Express that it is a fake message and expressed his anguish at his name being used to misguide the public.”
Actor Puneeth Rajkumar from the Kannada film industry passed away after a sudden cardiac arrest on 29 October 2021. Dr. Devanand NS, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru said, “Exercise is not bad, because of what happened to Puneeth. You should do what is required for you. What suits one may not suit another. I think there is only one lesson here – everything in moderation is good.”
Dr. Devi Shetty’s name had been used in other posts earlier as well. FACTLY had written a fact-check about one such post here.
To sum it up, this message in relation to Puneeth Rajkumar’s death is not given by Dr. Devi Shetty.

created: November 1, 2021


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This message with a request to vote for Congress is attributed to a fictional IAS officer Sachin Paul - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 4, 2023
A message in the name of Sachin Paul who is said to be an IAS (retd.) requesting to vote for Congress, to stop BJP’s plan to declare India a Hindu nation, is being widely shared across social media platforms. The message further elaborates on the Constitutional obligations to be followed to amend the Constitution accordingly. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Retired IAS Sachin Paul’s message to stop BJP from declaring India a Hindu nation.
Fact: We could not find any retired IAS officer with the name Sachin Paul, which implies that the viral message is attributed to a fictional officer. Moreover, secularism is intrinsic to the Constitution, and it is explicitly added to the preamble. Further the Supreme Court in many instances held that preamble forms the basic structure of the Constitution, and the Parliament could not amend the basic structure. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
The message circulating on social media in the name of a retired IAS Sachin Paul is most likely fictional, as we could not find any IAS officer with the name Sachin Paul in the list of IAS officers served to date.
Can India be declared a Hindu nation by amending the Constitution?
The Constitution of India asserts that India is a Secular nation. This concept of secularism is added to the preamble of the Constitution through the 42 amendment, in 1976.
In fact, some provisions of the Constitution like Article 25 (freedom of religion) and Article 26 (freedom to establish religious institutions), as well as Article 15 (right against discrimination, including on the basis of religion) reflect that idea of secularism is intrinsic to the Constitution, even before the word ‘secular’ is explicitly added to the preamble.
Although Article 368 of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to amend the Constitution, this provision does allow it to alter the basic structure of the Constitution. The Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) introduced the doctrine of ‘basic structure’ and ruled that the constituent power of the Parliament under Article 368 does not empower it to alter the basic structure of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court in SR Bommai vs. Union of India (1994), held that the preamble forms the basic structure of the Constitution and asserted the view that secularism is intrinsic to the Constitution. Later, the apex court, on multiple occasions (Minerva Mills case 1980) reiterated the limits to the power of Parliament to amend the basic structure.
Hence, this establishes that declaring India a Hindu nation with the mere majority of the Parliament, is not easy as claimed in the post, as it is subject to judicial review.
To sum it up, this message with a request to vote for Congress is attributed to a fictional IAS officer Sachin Paul


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This photo does not show Japan's dressing room after their defeat to Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cup 2022 - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 29, 2022
A photo is being widely shared on social media claiming it shows Japan’s dressing room after their 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cup 2022. This picture shows a dressing room left dirty with garbage on the floor. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of Japan Football team’s messy dressing room after their defeat to Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Fact: The photo shared in the post shows the state of the Italy Football team’s dressing room after their 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia in the FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final match in March 2022. The photo shared in the post is old and does not show Japan’s dressing room after their loss against Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, the same photo is found in an article published by the ‘TPI’ news website on 27 March 2022. This news website reported it as the horrific state of the Italy Football team’s dressing room after their defeat to North Macedonia in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match, held at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo.
Reporting the same, several news websites published articles in March 2022. They can be seen here, here and here. Italy was officially disqualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022 after the 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final match on 24 March 2022. Following the defeat to North Macedonia, Italy’s players and staff left the dressing room dirty with empty bottles, food waste and cigarette buts lying everywhere on the floor. The cleaning staff of the Stadio Renzo Barbera shot the videos and pictures of the state the Italy players left their dressing room. Following the incident, Italian Football player Leonardo Bonucci apologised on behalf of the Italian national team for the state they left their dressing room after the defeat to North Macedonia.
After the victory over Germany in the FIFA World Cup 2022, Japanese players left their rooms spotless and even made origami swans as a thank-you note to their hosts. Lately, there are no news reports confirming Japanese players leaving their dressing room dirty after the match with Costa Rica.
To sum it up, this photo does not show the Japanese Football team’s messy dressing room after their defeat to Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cup 2022.

created: November 29, 2022


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This Mexican Parliamentarian stripped as a protest against the passage of a new energy bill - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 2, 2022
A social media post claimed that a Mexican member of Parliament stripped while addressing hunger, poverty, and unemployment prevailing in the country. The post also shares an image related to the incident. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: A Mexican MP stripped in the Parliament, while addressing about hunger, poverty, and unemployment prevailing in the country.
Fact: This incident of a Mexican Parliamentarian stripping off in the Parliament dates back to 2013. While it is true that the MP stripped, he did this as a protest against the passage of a ‘New Energy law’, that opens the state-controlled oil sector to foreign investment and not against depriving state of  hunger, poverty, and unemployment as claimed in the post. Several news agencies reported the news back then. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
The image indeed shows a Mexican member of Parliament who stripped in parliament and the incident dates back to 2013. However, the reason for him doing so is the passage of a new energy bill, opening the state-controlled oil sector to foreign investment.
Google search with relevant keywords yielded multiple news reports that published similar images back in 2013 (here & here). As per these reports, following the passage of a new energy bill, which allows foreign investment in the state-owned oil firms, MP Antonio Garcia Conejo, a member of the opposition Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), stripped down to his underwear to show his rejection of the bill.
Opposition parties protested against the law as the law allows private oil and gas companies to drill for oil and gas with the state-run firm Pemex in exchange for a share of the profits. Several news agencies reported the visuals of the MP stripping, denouncing the passage of the law. None of these news reports stated that the MP did so, against the prevalence of hunger, poverty, and unemployment in the country.
To sum it up, this Mexican MP stripped in Parliament as a protest against the passage of a new energy bill.


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This monument situated in Iran shows no influence of Emperor Ashoka or the Mauryan Empire - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 6, 2024
A viral image featuring stone columns claims that they represent the foundation pillars laid by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in Iran. The claim suggests that the image depicts remnants of their reign. This article aims to fact-check the claim presented in the post.
Claim: Image featuring stone columns representing the foundation pillars laid by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in Iran.
Fact: The image showcases the relics of Persepolis in Iran, constructed during the Achaemenid Empire. Persepolis was founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., and its architectural design drew inspiration from Mesopotamian models. On the other hand, the Mauryan Empire emerged in India around 321 B.C.E., long after the end of the Achaemenid Empire. Therefore, it is highly improbable that the architectural style of the stone columns depicted in the image was influenced by the Mauryan Empire. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
The image featuring stone columns indeed shows relics in Iran. However, these architectural monuments were not built by emperor Ashoka or the Mauryan Empire but built during the Achaemenid Empire. A reverse image search of the viral photo led us to the UNESCO portal featuring the world heritage sites. The portal features images identical to the images of the viral structure.
The accompanying description of the image indicates that the stone columns are situated in Persepolis, reflecting the architectural style of the Achaemenid Empire. Historical records indicate that the Achaemenid Empire reigned from 550 to 330 BC. Persepolis was established by Darius I in 518 BC and served as the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It is noteworthy that the architectural design of the Achaemenid Empire drew inspiration from Mesopotamian models.
The Persian Empire started to falter during the rule of Darius’s son, Xerxes, and was ultimately conquered by Alexander in 334 B.C.E. This indicates that the architectural style of the stone columns depicted in the viral image isn’t influenced by the Mauryan Empire, which emerged in India around 321 B.C.E., long after the end of the Achaemenid Empire.
While the Mauryan Empire extended into portions of modern-day Iran, their westward expansion commenced as the power of Alexander the Great began to decline. Chandragupta Maurya, the inaugural leader of the Mauryan Empire, initiated the consolidation of territories following Alexander’s demise in 323 B.C.E.
Moreover, the same viral image is being claimed to depict the Ashoka pillars; however, this assertion has also proven unfounded. Ashoka, the third Mauryan Emperor of Magadha, reigned from 304 to 232 BCE, which was much after the end of the Achaemenid Empire. It is improbable that the architectural style of the Achaemenid Empire was influenced by him.
To sum it up, the photo of this relic situated in Iran shows no influence from emperor Ashoka or the Mauryan Empire.

created: February 6, 2024


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This Muslim shrine on a railway station platform is from Prayagraj, not Delhi - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 16, 2021
A photo is shared on social media claiming it as a picture of a Muslim shrine located at old Delhi railway station. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of a Muslim shrine located at old Delhi railway station platform.
Fact: Photo shared in the post shows the Line Shah Baba tomb constructed on the Prayagraj (Allahabad) railway station platform. It is not located at the old Delhi railway station. 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 old social media posts made by few users. They can be seen here and here. These users claim it as the visual from Prayagraj (Allahabad) railway station in Uttar Pradesh.
When we searched using these keywords, we found a similar picture in ‘The Times of India’ article published on 27 April 2020. It is mentioned as the picture shot at Prayagraj (Allahabad) railway Junction on 26 April 2020. Similar images are shared in the articles published BBC, The Hindu, and Business Standard websites.
Also, similar images are available on ‘Getty’ image sharing website. They can be seen here, here and here. In the description of one of the photos, it is mentioned that the Indian Muslim devotees break their Ramdan fast outside the Shah Baba Mosque at Allahabad railway station junction.
Further search about ‘LINE SHAH BABA’ on Google led us to multiple results stating that the religious structure is actually a Mazaar of Line Shah Baba present on the Platform No.1 of Prayagraj railway station. Multiple images and videos of the structure can be found on Google Maps. A live video recording showing the railway station and the Line Shah Baba Mazaar was uploaded by the YouTube channel ‘MNC INDIA NEWS’. ‘NYOOOZ UP- Uttarakhand’ has also uploaded a video on their YouTube channel explaining the history of the Line Shah Baba Dargah present on Prayagraj railway station platform.
To sum it up, image of the Line Shah Baba Dargah present on Prayagraj railway station is falsely portrayed as a Muslim shrine located at the old Delhi railway station.

created: January 16, 2021


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This narrative of a soldier asking the Japanese boy in this photo to throw away his sibling’s dead body has no conclusive evidence - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 25, 2022
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it as an emotional picture of a Japanese boy carrying his dead sister to a cremation ground during World War II. According to the post, when a soldier asked this boy to throw away his sister’s dead body, the boy refused to leave his sister and said, “She’s not heavy, she’s my sister”. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Picture of a Japanese child carrying his dead sister to a cremation ground during World War II.
Fact: The photo shared in the post shows an iconic picture that was taken in Japan after US Nuclear attack in 1945. The photo shows a Japanese boy standing in military posture and carrying his deceased younger brother on his back at a cremation ground in Nagasaki. This photo was captured by the US Marine Corps photographer, Joe O’ Donnel. There is no conclusive evidence of any such conversation between soldiers and the boy about throwing away his sibling’s dead body. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, the same photo was found published on the ‘Rare Historical Photos’ website. The description of the photo states, “A Japanese boy standing at attention after having brought his dead younger brother to a cremation pyre, 1945”. This photo was reportedly captured by the US Marine photographer Joe O’ Donnel in 1945.
In 1945, after Japan surrendered to the US, Joe O’ Donnel was sent by the US military to document the damage inflicted on the Japanese homeland by air raids of firebombs and atomic bombs. Years later, Joe O’ Donnel spoke to a Japanese interviewer about this picture and said, “I saw a boy about ten years old walking by. He was carrying a baby on his back. In those days in Japan, we often saw children playing with their little brothers or sisters on their backs, but this boy was clearly different. I could see that he had come to this place for a serious reason. He was wearing no shoes. His face was hard. The little head was tipped back as if the baby were fast asleep. The boy stood there for five or ten minutes”. He further added, “The men in white masks walked over to him and quietly began to take off the rope that was holding the baby. That is when I saw that the baby was already dead. The men held the body by the hands and feet and placed it on the fire. The boy stood there straight without moving, watching the flames. He was biting his lower lip so hard that it shone with blood. The flame burned low like the sun going down. The boy turned around and walked silently away”. Joe O’ Donnel had never mentioned that the boy was asked to throw away his brother’s dead body. Several news websites published articles and videos related to this iconic picture taken in Nagasaki in 1945. They can be seen here, here, and here.
A selection of Joe O’ Donnel documented photos was first published in the ‘Japan 1945: A U.S. Marine’s Photographs from Ground Zero’ book. A few pictures from the Joe O’ Donnel collection were also published on the ‘Five College Consortium’ website.
To sum it up, this narrative of a soldier asking the Japanese boy in the photo to throw away his sibling’s dead body during World War II has no conclusive evidence.


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This National Geographic magazine cover on recent Indian farmers’ protest is fake - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 5, 2021
A photo is being shared on social media with a claim that it shows the National Geographic magazine cover with a photo related to recent farmers’ protests in India. On the magazine cover, ‘THE LARGEST PROTEST IN HISTORY IS HAPPENING NOW AND IT IS NOT BEING TELEVISED’ is written. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of the National Geographic magazine cover on recent farmers’ protests in India.
Fact: It is an edited magazine cover. The National Geographic has not published a photo related to recent Indian farmers’ protest on its magazine cover. Also, the articles mentioned on the cover were not found in the National Geographic magazine recent issues. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On looking at the recent issues of the National Geographic magazine, it is found that it has not published a photo related to recent Indian farmers’ protest on its magazine cover. The cover pictures on November 2020, December 2020, and January 2021 issues can be seen below. It can be observed that the format in the posted image is different from the recent issues of the National Geographic magazines. The format in the posted image is one of the older formats of National Geographic. Also, the articles mentioned on the cover were not found in the National Geographic magazine recent issues
On the posted image, at the bottom-right-corner, it is written – ‘@anoopreet’. So, when searched for that profile, the same photo was found to be posted by the user – ‘anoopreet’ on Instagram. In the description, it is written – ‘Artwork: @anoopreet Photo: @choudharyravi A project in collaboration with @sikhexpo (this is an imagined cover)’. Also, the same farmer photo can be found on the profile of ‘choudharyravi’. ‘The Quint’ has also published the photo, in December 2020, giving credits to ‘PTI/Ravi Choudhary’.
To sum it up, the posted National Geographic magazine cover with the photo related to recent Indian farmers’ protest is fake and an imagined cover by a person.

created: January 5, 2021


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This ‘NDTV’ news screenshot reporting Omicron spread from poultry is a morphed image - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 24, 2022
A screenshot of a purported ‘NDTV’ news report is being shared on social media claiming that the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus was spreading from poultry. This post claims that the Telangana government had notified poultry farms as a major source for the spread of the omicron virus in the state. Sharing the news report, this post asks people to avoid consuming chicken. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
The archived version of the post can be seen here.
Claim: ‘NDTV’ report of Omicron virus spread from poultry
Fact: The photo shared in the post is a morphed one. There is no scientific evidence to confirm the COVID-19 virus spread from poultry. In 2020, when a similar rumour went viral on social media, GHMC issued a press release clarifying that not a single case of any bird being positive to coronavirus was found in India. The Telangana Government did not issue any press release notifying poultry farms as a source of spreading the omicron virus in the State. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched to check whether ‘NDTV’ had published this article on their website, we could not find any. Not only on the ‘NDTV’ website, but we could not find any other news report about the omicron virus spread from farm chicken. On reverse image search of the photo using relevant keywords, we found that the photo was taken from a news article published by ‘NDTV’ on 08 May 2021. This article reported about Bird Flu detected at poultry farms in Ludhiana, Punjab. The description of the photo states, “Punjab government has notified the poultry farm as an infected area”. So, it is understood that the photo shared in the post is a morphed version of an ‘NDTV’ article that reported about the Bird Flu spread in Punjab.
In 2021, another morphed version of the same ‘NDTV’ article was circulated on social media claiming that Black Fungus was spreading from farm chicken. Those posts can be seen here and here. PIB through a tweet clarified that the ‘NDTV’ new report screenshot circulating the viral news on social media is a morphed image. In another tweet, PIB clarified that there is no record of coronavirus in broiler chicken.
A post claiming that #BlackFungus can spread through farm chickens is in circulation on social media#PIBFactcheck: This claim is #FAKE
There is NO scientific evidence that the infection can spread from chickens to humans
Know more about Black Fungus: https://t.co/3cpKggwIDP pic.twitter.com/mLPq2gscxp
When we searched to check whether the Telangana government had issued any such press release notifying poultry farms as a major source of the omicron virus spread in the state, we could not find any such notification on the Telangana Government website. We could not find a single news report about such an announcement from the Telangana government. In February 2020, when a similar rumour about Coronavirus spread from farm chicken went viral on social media, GHMC issued a press release clarifying that not a single case of any bird being positive to coronavirus was found in India. The press release can be seen below.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also stated on its website that meat products can be safely consumed if they are thoroughly cooked.
To sum it up, there is no scientific evidence of the omicron virus spread from poultry; the photo shared in the post is a morphed one.

created: January 24, 2022


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This news about a mason securing 53rd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is false - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 14, 2023
A photo is being shared on social media claiming it is a picture of a mason Sumit Vishwakarma who is said to have secured 53rd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Photo of Sumit Vishwakarma who secured 53rd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Fact: In 2019, several news websites misreported Sumit Vishwakarma from Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district as Sumit Kumar, the person who secured 53rd rank in the 2018 Civil Services Examination. Sumit Kumar, who hails from the Jamui district in Bihar, issued a clarification stating that the media is covering the wrong person linking to his rank in the 2018 Civil Services Examination. Sumit Vishwakarma, the person who was seen in the photo did not secure 53rd rank in the Civil Services Examination. Hence, the claim made in the post Is False.
On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post and by searching using relevant keywords on the internet, we found an article published by the ‘Times of India’ news website about the news of a mason Sumit Vishwakarma securing 53 rank in the 2018 UPSC Civil Services Examination. TOI in the article reported that several news websites have misreported Sumit Vishwakarma from Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district as Sumit Kumar, the person who actually secured 53 rank in the 2018 Civil Services Examination. TOI reported that the 53 rank holder of the 2018 Civil Services Examination was Sumit Kumar, who hails from the Jamui district in Bihar.
When we searched further, we found the list of candidates selected in the 2018 Civil Services Examination. The 53 rank holder’s name in the merit list was mentioned as Sumit Kumar, not Sumit Vishwakarma. Sumit Vishwakarma’s name was not listed in the 2018 Civil Services Examination selected candidates list announced on 05 April 2019.
Reporting further details of this fake news spreading on social media, ‘NDTV’ and a few other news websites published articles in 2019. Sumit Kumar through Facebook (the post is now deleted) and Twitter issued a clarification about media covering the wrong person with his rank in the 2018 Civil Services Examination. Speaking to ‘Alt News’, Sumit Kumar said, “I had put out a Facebook post after I was informed that media has misreported [someone else as me]. Now, I have made my Facebook post private as my contact details were also there in the screenshots, [of the application form]which I had posted”. A few more details of Sumit Kumar, the 53 rank holder in the 2018 Civil Services Examination can be seen here.
To sum it up, old fake news about a mason securing 53 rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is revived again as a true story.

created: February 14, 2023


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This news about murder of a Muslim man for raping a Hindu girl is fabricated - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 10, 2023
A social media post informing about the murder of an alleged rape convict is being widely shared. The post claims that in UP’s Deoria, Mohammad Gaffar who is convicted of rape of a Hindu giral, was slayed immediately after his release from jail on bail. Through this article, let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: In UP’s Deoria, rape convict Muhammad Gaffar was killed immediately after his release on bail.
Fact: This is a fabricated news and no such incident is reported in Deoria, as claimed in the viral post. There are no news reports about this alleged incident. Further, Aaj Tak contacted local journalists and police and confirmed that is a fabricated news. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Usually if any incident of such grave nature takes place, media would report it. However, we could not find any news reports about this alleged incident. Search in the local news papers also did not yield any result.
Further, Aaj Tak contacted Deoria police seeking a clarification whether the incident had indeed taken place. However, the police confirmed that the news is false and such incident did not take place in Deoria.
Further, Aaj Tak also contacted the local journalists and reaffirmed that no such incident is reported from Deoria and that it is a fabricated news.
We have reached out to the Deoria police Social media cell, seeking a clarification about this news. However, Deoria police have denied the news, saying no such incident has happened in Deoria. They have stated that the news is false.
To sum it up, this news about murder of a Muslim man for raping a Hindu girl is fabricated.