A video showing a rally of a large number of tractors is being shared with a claim that the visuals show these tractors marching towards Jantar Mantar in support of the protesting wrestlers. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Visuals of tractors marching towards Jantar Mantar in support of protesting wrestlers.
Fact: The video is from Kerala, and was taken when Youth Congress leaders took out a tractor rally in support of the farmers protesting the three farm laws in January 2021. Multiple news agencies reported the visuals back then. Meanwhile, farmers unions from various states have announced their support to the protesting wrestlers and have also joined them at Jantar Mantar. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Recently, farmer unions have announced their support to the protesting wrestlers and farmers from various states have joined the wrestlers protesting over sexual harassment allegations against the national wrestling federation chief. As per the reports, farmers have barged through the barricades put up by the Delhi police, to reach protest sites.
However, the viral video showing the tractor rally is not related to the ongoing wrestlers’ protest but is from 2021, when Youth Congress in Kerala took out a tractor rally against the now withdrawn agricultural laws.
As the viral video carries a logo of Manorama News, a search on the internet with relevant keywords yielded a video on Manorama New’s official Facebook page, which carried similar visuals. The video is shared on 03 January 2021, with a caption that reads ‘Kisan March by Youth Congress in support of farmers strike’.
Further search yielded multiple news reports, which reported this tractor rally. The article published images similar to the visuals of the viral video. As per these reports, the Youth Congress organized the Jai Kisan March in solidarity with farmers protesting the new farm laws. The march took place from Kuzhalmandam to Palakkad Kottamaidanam. These reports can be viewed here, here & here.
All these establish that the viral video is not related to the ongoing wrestlers’ protest, but is from Kerala, related to the farmers’ protest.
To sum it up, an old video from Kerala, related to farmers’ protests is being shared linking it to the wrestlers’ protests.
