A video showing a crowd throwing stones and damaging vehicles adorned with BJP posters is circulating with claims that it captures a confrontation between the public and Aligarh’s BJP candidate Satish Gautam’s supporters over touching the feet of Dalits during his campaign (here, here & here). Additionally, following comments made by Gujarat BJP leader Parshottam Rupala concerning Kshatriyas, the same footage is being shared with assertions that it depicts a public uprising against BJP leaders during the North Gujarat election campaign (here & here). This article aims to verify the accuracy of these claims.
Claim: Video depicting an altercation between public and BJP candidates Satish Gautam and Parshottam Rupala.
Fact: The video shows a confrontation between two BJP factions in Agra, that happened in 2021. The clash erupted between supporters of former minister Aridaman Singh, also known as Bhadawar Maharaj, and former block chief Sugriva Singh Chauhan. These visuals are unrelated to the locations or individuals mentioned in the viral social media posts and the 2024 General elections. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
The viral video does show vandalism of vehicles belonging to a BJP leader. However, the footage is from a few years ago, and significantly, it was not ordinary citizens but another BJP leader who was responsible for the damage.
A reverse image search on screenshots from the viral video led to news reports from 2021 showing the same visuals. According to these reports, the video captures a conflict between supporters of two BJP leaders in Agra. It shows a violent altercation involving followers of former minister Aridaman Singh, also known as Bhadawar Maharaj and former block chief Sugriva Singh Chauhan.
Reports indicate that the clash broke out due to a show of strength between two factions, each vying for the BJP ticket from the Bah assembly constituency. In response to the incident, the then City Superintendent of Police, Vikas Kumar, reported that seven vehicles were damaged in the clash. He stated, “We will identify the culprits from the video footage available and take strict action against them. Our team is investigating the matter, and legal measures will be implemented accordingly. However, the situation is now under control.”
Several news agencies, which can be viewed here, here, and here, also reported these visuals as a clash between two BJP leaders. This confirms that the footage is unrelated to the locations or individuals mentioned in the viral social media posts.
To sum up, old and irrelevant videos are being circulated falsely linking them to the 2024 general elections.
