A scripted video is falsely shared as showing Police arresting the accused involved in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh stampede
On 28 January 2025, at 1:30 AM, a stampede occurred during the ongoing Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, resulting in several deaths and injuries. Amidst this, a video circulated on social media (here, here) showing individuals in prisoner’s uniforms alongside constables. The video is being shared with claims that the police had arrested those responsible for causing the stampede at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. Let’s verify the claim made in the post through this article.
Claim: A video shows the police arrest those responsible for causing the stampede at the 2025 Prayagraj Maha Kumbh.
Fact: The viral video, originally scripted for educational purposes, features individuals portraying freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. In the video, they sing “Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon” and explain that their attire is meant to remind the youth of these martyrs’ contributions to India’s independence ahead of Republic Day. The video was uploaded on the “Dicky Bari” YouTube channel, which is known for producing and uploading comedy content. Notably, the video was uploaded much before the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh stampede occurred. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
We conducted an internet search using relevant keywords to verify the viral claim. However, we found no credible reports confirming that the police had arrested those responsible for causing the stampede at the 2025 Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. The reports indicate that the case is still under investigation, and no arrests have been made as of publishing this fact-check.
We then conducted a reverse image search of the keyframes from the viral video which led us to an extended version of the same video (archived) on Instagram, posted on 23 January 2025, before the stampede at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh.
In the video, three individuals, dressed as prisoners, have the names Rajguru, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev written on their clothes. They, along with others are seen singing “Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon.” Later in the video, one of them is asked why they are walking around Prayagraj dressed as Rajguru, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev. The person dressed as Sukhdev replies, “26 January is coming. We’re walking along the Ganga to remind the youth of their contribution to India’s independence.” He also mentions they are from Harisenganj village and run a comedy channel called Dicky Bari on YouTube.
We searched the internet and found their YouTube channel, Dicky Bari, where they have posted multiple videos (here, here, and here) (archived here, here, and here) of the same event, where they dressed up as Rajguru, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev. On 24 January 2025, they posted a 4:23-minute interview on the channel. In this interview, the three of them again state, “We are walking on the banks of the Ganga in Maha Kumbh to remind people of the sacrifices of Rajguru, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev.” The interviewer mentions, “Today is 20 January, and 26 January is coming. We should not remember the sacrifices of the martyrs just for one day but always remember them.”
The ‘About’ section of the YouTube channel revealed that they create and upload comedy videos.
To sum up, a scripted video made for educational purposes is falsely shared as showing police arresting all the accused involved in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh stampede.