Viral Video of Anti-Modi Protest in London is unrelated to recent IT Survey on BBC - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 21, 2023
A video of a group of people holding a banner with the text ‘Resign Modi’ and shouting slogans while standing on a bridge is being widely shared across social media platforms claiming that the visuals show people protesting against the Indian PM after the recent Income Tax survey on BBC offices in India. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Visuals of people shouting ‘Resign Modi’ in London after recent IT survey in BBC offices in India.
Fact: On 15 August 2021, members of the ‘South Asia Solidarity Group’, a UK-based organization that opposes imperialism and racism, protested against Indian PM Modi due to his alleged involvement in unacceptable practices. They raised anti-Modi slogans and displayed a ‘Resign Modi’ banner from London’s Westminster Bridge. However, it should be noted that the Income Tax department conducted searches at BBC offices in India in February 2023, suggesting that the viral video is unrelated to this incident. As a result, the claim made in the post is Misleading.
An internet search with relevant keywords revealed that the extended version of the video that is now viral was previously posted on YouTube on 15 August 2021, by the ‘South Asia Solidarity Group’.
As per their website, The South Asia Solidarity Group (SASG) is a British-based organization that describes itself as anti-imperialist and anti-racist. The group’s website describes the organization as one that aims to support and promote struggles for justice and democracy in South Asia while opposing exploitation, gender and caste-based oppression, imperialism, war, and what they refer to as the “war on terror.” According to the video description, members of the diaspora and supporters of India displayed a large ‘Resign Modi’ banner on London’s Westminster Bridge on 15 August 2021. Prior to this, they held a candlelight vigil outside the Indian High Commission.
At that time, multiple news outlets covered this incident. A few of them can be seen here, here, and here. However, it should be noted that the Income Tax department conducted searches at BBC offices in India in February 2023, indicating that the viral video is not related to this particular event.
To sum it up, old and unrelated video is being shared as people raising anti-Modi slogans over IT raids on BBC offices in India.