Fact Check: Video of mob vandalizing Hindu temple is from Pakistan, not Afghanistan
A video of a mob destroying a Hindu temple is viral on social media with the claim that it shows Afghan extremists vandalizing a Hindu temple in Afghanistan.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 31 Aug 2021 2:56 PM GMT
Hyderabad: A video of a mob destroying a Hindu temple is viral on social media with the claim that it shows Afghan extremists vandalizing a Hindu temple in Afghanistan. The video is being shared with the caption, "Destruction of a Hindu Temple in Afghanistan."
Fact Check
The claim is false.
NewsMeter performed a reverse image search and found a YouTube video with similar visuals uploaded by CNN-News 18 on 5 August 2021. It said the incident took place in Pakistan when a mob vandalized a Hindu temple in the Punjab province. The same was also reported by One India and CRUX.
The description by Oneindia News read, "In a shocking video shared on social media, a group of men in Pakistan can be seen vandalizing a temple in the Punjab province. A Muslim mob burned down parts of the temple and damaged the idols in Bhong city of Rahim Yar Khan district, some 590 kms from Lahore."
Al Jazeera, The Times of India, and The Hindu had also reported the incident. According to the reports, over two dozen attackers vandalized the Siddhivinayak temple in Pakistan's Bhong city. "This incident took place on 4 August 2021. The Muslim mob was allegedly angry at a court judgement for granting bail to an 8-year-old Hindu boy who was accused in a blasphemy case," Al Jazeera reported.
The Times of India wrote, "The situation in the city was tense following the desecration of the Hindu temple. An appeal was sent to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene and take immediate action and bring the perpetrators of the incident to book."
It is clear that the viral video is not from Afghanistan. Hence, the claim is false.
