Fact Check: Scripted video falsely shared as Muslim woman denied entry to Durga Puja pandal

Hyderabad: A four-minute video circulating on social media shows a burqa-clad woman being stopped by a Hindu priest when she tries to enter the pandal of Goddess Durga. Following a brief talk and with encouragement from others at the pandal, the priest eventually allows the woman to enter after she removes her veil. She proceeds to perform the puja, receives the priest’s blessing and leaves after putting her burqa back.

The accompanying claim suggests that the incident is real and the woman was not allowed because she belonged to the Muslim community.

An X user shared the video and wrote, “Must watch the video, the video is from West Bengal. Please share your opinion in the comments on this devotion and faith of a Muslim woman towards Maa Durga.” (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim was false as the video was scripted.

Upon conducting a reverse image search of the video’s keyframes, we found the same video uploaded on YouTube on October 11, 2024. The title, written in Bengali, asked: “What is the name of the play?”

We also found the video shared by a verified Facebook user Sanjjanaa Galrani on October 10. Galrani stated in her bio that she is a South Indian actress. The post clarified that the video is scripted.

“Thank you for watching! Please note that this page features scripted dramas, parodies, and awareness videos. These short films are created for entertainment and educational purposes only. All characters and situations depicted in the videos are fictional and intended to raise awareness, entertain, and educate,” read the disclaimer.

Galrani’s profile had several scripted videos posted with similar disclaimers. (Post link here, here and here). We have reached out to the account for more information about the videos and the article will be updated as soon as they respond.

Hence, we conclude that the video is scripted and does not show a real incident. The claim is false.