Did fans display BJP and Indian flag during Asia Cup 2023? Read fact check

Social media users have shared an image claiming that the spectators displayed BJP and Indian flags during the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match.

Users claimed that the BJP supporters displayed the BJP flag while congress supporters shared the Indian national flag during the match on September 2.

An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the image with the caption, “Congress supporters are watching the match with Tricolour flag. BJP supporters are watching a match with the BJP flag. This is a clear difference in Ideology.”

Multiple X and Facebook users have shared the image claiming the same. Click here, here, here and here to access the archive of the posts.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the image predates Asia Cup 2023.

On performing a reverse image search on the viral image we found a report on the Free Press Journal website dated June 7, 2023, carrying the same image under the title “WTC Final: BJP Flag At The Oval Draws Mixed Reactions From Fans, Sparks Political Debate Among Netizens.”

According to the report, the image is from the World Test Championship 2021-2023 final played between India and Australia in June 2023.

During the search, we found the same image carried by India.com with a report titled “BJP Flag Spotted During WTC Final In Oval, London.” The report was published on June 8, 2023.

Both reports have carried a post by journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, who shared the same image on his official X account.

Sardesai posted the image on June 7, 2023, with the caption, “Spotted at the Oval: just a reminder, this is India vs Australia folks! #WTC2023.”

Hence, we conclude that the BJP and Indian national flag were not displayed during the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match. The viral image was actually displayed during WTC 2021-2023 in June.