Fact Check: Image of injured Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari shared with misleading claim
An image of BJP Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari with his head and neck bandaged is viral on social media.
By Tejal Sinha Published on 20 Oct 2021 3:44 AM GMT
Hyderabad: An image of BJP Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari with his head and neck bandaged is viral on social media.
Social media users are claiming that he was beaten up by protesters in Delhi.
Fact Check
The claim is misleading.
NewsMeter firstly performed a Google Reverse Image Search which led us to a video on YouTube aired on the channel of OneIndia on October 12, 2021. According to the description, "BJP MP Manoj Tiwari was hospitalized after he was hit by water cannon during a demonstration outside CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence. Tiwari was protesting against DDMA's order restricting Chhath Puja celebrations in the national capital."
The incident of Manoj Tiwari being injured was also aired on the YouTube channel 'Boundary Line' on October 12, 2021. "BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, who was protesting outside CM Arvind Kejriwal's house against the ban on Chhath Puja in Delhi, has been injured. He has been admitted to Safdarganj Hospital in Delhi," reads the thumbnail of the video.
The fact check team then found a report published by News 18 Hindi on October 12, 2021. "BJP MP Manoj Tiwari injured, admitted at Safdarjung hospital," reads the headline.
According to the report, he was injured during a protest in Delhi. This incident took place when BJP was protesting against the AAP government's decision to ban the Chhath Puja celebration in public places. Manoj Tiwari was part of the protest outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's house. He along with other workers were demanding ban should be lifted.
"Delhi Police had barricaded CM House. Its purpose was to prevent the protesters from reaching the CM House. Manoj Tiwari climbed the barricade. Police then used water cannons to disperse the protesters. Manoj Tiwari fell from the barricade and became unconscious," the report said.
Last week, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had banned Chhath Puja celebrations at public places including river banks, reservoirs, and temples in view of the COVID-19 situation, the report added.
Meanwhile, according to a report published by Patrika, Manoj Tiwari fell from the barricade. During this incident, many other BJP workers also received injuries.
"Earlier, former Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari said celebrating Chhath Puja is like Sanjeevani for the 80 lakh Purvanchalis living in Delhi," the report said.
The team had found a tweet by Manish Singh, State President - Purvanchal Morcha, BJP Delhi on October 14, 2021. In the tweet, he thanked Manoj Tiwari and the entire purvanchal community for coming together and forcing the AAP government to withdraw the ban of Chhath Puja in Delhi. He had also shared images of unconscious Manoj Tiwari being taken to hospital.
Kapil Mishra, a BJP worker had also tweeted the press note of Arvind Kejriwal withdrawing the ban.
The team lastly found a video tweeted by Manoj Tiwari on his verified Twitter handle on October 12, 2021, requesting people to not worry about his health. Tiwari said he was doing well and is undergoing treatment at the Safdarjung hospital.
Nowhere was it mentioned that Manoj Tiwari was beaten up by protestors in Delhi.
It is therefore evident that the claim is misleading. Manoj Tiwari was injured after he fell from a barricade during a protestor demonstration in Delhi.
