Fact Check: Old image of Janata curfew passed off as protest against Owaisi attack
Social media users are sharing an image claiming that a silent protest was held in Hyderabad after the attack on All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi.
By Tejal Sinha Published on 5 Feb 2022 6:30 PM IST
Hyderabad: Social media users are sharing an image claiming that a silent protest was held in Hyderabad after the attack on All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi.
Users claim that shops in Charminar were voluntarily shut on February 4 to protest the attack.
"Deserted Streets of Charminar in Hyderabad Today Morning. Shops have been closed voluntarily in protest of the attack on @asadowaisi," reads the tweet
The tweet notched over 1000 likes and more than 100 reshares.
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Fact Check
The claim is False.
NewsMeter began its investigation by firstly gathering more information about the attack that took place on the AIMIM president.
The information on the attack was first notified by the AIMIM president on February 03, 2022, through his official Twitter handle. He had stated that he was attacked at the Chhajarsi Toll Plaza, where 3 to 4 people had fired 4 rounds and then got away from the spot. He had also shared two images of his car.
People took to various social media platforms and began sharing the news about the incident.
We then performed a Google Reverse Image Search of the viral image. The search led us to a blog page named 'Floweraura' written in 2020. We found a similar image.
"Deserted streets and shut shops across the various parts of India that speak loud about the success of Janta curfew. As a part of Janta Curfew, the Prime Minister also urged the citizens to clap hands, beat plates or ring bells at 5 pm -- an expression of gratitude for all the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, government officials, members of armed forces, police, disaster management, and all those who are risking their lives so that we could stay safe," reads the description.
A video news report published by Siasat Daily on their YouTube channel on February 03, 2022, had a few visuals from Charminar. According to the report, AIMIM workers had hoisted black flags all over the area, while all the shops were closed. The visuals in the video report were different than that of the viral image.
Meanwhile, according to a report published by the Times of India on February 04, 2022, read, "AIMIM workers shut down many shops and establishments in Old City following reports of an attack on party chief Asaduddin Owaisi's car in Uttar Pradesh."
Hence, it is evident that the claim made through the viral post is False. The viral image is of Janata Curfew that took place in 2020.
