Fact Check: Nepal protestors march in support of PM Modi? No, video is from Sikkim
A viral video claims that people in Nepal marched in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing crisis.
By - M Ramesh Naik
Claim:The video shows Nepalis marching in support of PM Modi during the ongoing internal strife.
Fact:The claim is false. The video is from Sikkim, featuring the Sikkimese Limboo Tribe under the banner of Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songchumbho during PM Modi’s visit in May.
Hyderabad: A video is circulating on social media with the claim that people in Nepal marched in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing unrest in the country. The clip shows a group of people holding a banner with PM Modi’s image and walking in a procession, accompanied by music and flags.
An X user shared the video with the caption, “Modi is overshadowing even in Nepal, why don’t you all drown and die taking Ahul Gandhi along with you.” (Translated from Hindi) (Archive)
A similar post can be seen here.(Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video is from Sikkim, not Nepal.
On close examination, the banner in the video reads: “SIKKIMESE LIMBOO TRIBES WARMLY WELCOME TO HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA SHRI NARENDRA MODI JI TO THE STATE OF SIKKIM. Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songchumbho.”
The attire of the participants and the text on the banner confirmed that the event is about Sikkim’s cultural and political setting.
Through a keyword search, we found a longer version of the video shared on Facebook by Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songchumbho on May 30.
The caption stated that the Sikkimese Limboo Tribe had prepared a grand welcome for PM Modi during his scheduled visit to the state on May 29, to mark the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood.
However, due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, PM Modi could not land in Sikkim. Instead, he addressed the people virtually from Bagdogra. The post also thanked Sikkim CM PS Tamang and others who supported the celebrations.
A side-by-side comparison of the viral video and the Facebook video screenshots confirmed that both are from the same event.
What was the event about?
Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songchumbho is a community-based organisation in Gangtok, representing the Limboo (Limbu) Tribe, which is a recognised ethnic group in Sikkim. Their participation in the procession was part of cultural activities marking the golden jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood.
We also found an official press release from the Government of Sikkim dated May 29, which confirmed that PM Modi virtually addressed the celebrations at Paljor Stadium in Nepali, one of the State’s official languages. The release noted that the Prime Minister could not attend in person due to inclement weather.
The viral video does not show Nepalis marching in support of PM Modi.
It is from Sikkim, where the Limboo Tribe under the banner of Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songchumbho organised a welcome procession during PM Modi’s scheduled visit for the golden jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood.
Therefore, NewsMeter concludes that the viral claim is false.
