Fact Check: Locals did not thrash BJP leaders, viral claims are false

Hyderabad: A video of a rampaging mob damaging several vehicles is widely being shared on social media.

Users claimed locals assaulted BJP leaders and damaged their vehicles in Uttar Pradesh.

"In Uttar Pradesh, BJP leaders were given a grand welcome by the people," read the satirical caption of the post.

Fact Check

The claim is False.

NewsMeter began its investigation by performing a Google Reverse Image Search using a screengrab from the viral video. The search led us to a report published on `Agniban' on December 08, 2021. The report had published a screenshot that had similar visuals as that of the viral video.

"In the Bah assembly constituency of Agra, violent clashes broke out between the supporters of former minister Aridaman Singh, who was known as Bhadawar Maharaj, and former block chief Sugriv Singh Chouhan. Hundreds of supporters of both came face to face and there was fierce stone-pelting. More than half a dozen vehicles bearing the flag of the Bharatiya Janata Party were damaged. Heavy police force reached the spot and brought the situation under control," the report read.

Taking a cue from this, the team performed a keyword search which led us to a report published by Aaj Tak on December 07, 2021. The report was headlined, "UP: Fight for ticket in Agra, supporters of two BJP leaders pelted stones fiercely, windows of vehicles were broken". This report had also included a screengrab of similar visuals.

According to the report, the whole matter was related to getting the BJP ticket from the Bah assembly seat.

"There is a war of supremacy between the former minister and the former block chief over the ticket claim. To show his strength to the opponents in the assembly constituency, Raja Aridaman Singh, husband of former minister and sitting BJP MLA Rani Pakshalika Singh, was taking out a public awareness rally from Pinahat town. However, supporters of Aridaman Singh and Sugreev at the Nandagawa intersection came face to face. It resulted in stone-pelting. There was a stampede in the market and the shopkeepers closed the shops," read the Aaj Tak report.

"After getting information about the incident, cops from many police stations reached the spot. Cops are trying to maintain peace and order. Agra SSP Sudhir Kumar Singh said action will be taken against the guilty after the investigation," ABP reported.

The incident was also reported by other mainstream media including TV9 Bharatvarsh, Navbharat Times, India TV, and Quint Hindi on their respective YouTube channels and website. The team found similar clippings in the video news reports.

It is therefore evident that the claim is False. The viral video is of a violent clash between the supporters of former minister Aridaman Singh, and former block chief Sugriv Singh Chouhan.