Scripted video of child kidnapping shared with communal twist

A video showing a man hitting and kicking a burqa-clad person has gone viral on social media. Those sharing the video claim that the video shows a person named Abdul kidnapping a Hindu child.

A user shared the video and wrote, “Abdul wearing Burqa trying to kidnap a Hindu child.”

Several Twitter and Facebook users also shared the video claiming the same. (Click here, here and here to see the post.)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the video is scripted. We performed a reverse image search of the video’s keyframe and found a longer version of the video posted on February 25 on a personal blog, Ankur-Ankit Jatuskarn. Around the 0:21 time mark, a disclaimer appears stating that the video is “a work of fiction” and made for “entertainment purposes.” On further inspection, we found several scripted videos posted with the same disclaimer.

The bio section of the page stated that Ankur Jatuskaran, featured in the video, creates prank videos.

We also came across his verified YouTube channel, where he publishes scripted videos with the same disclaimer.

We conclude that the viral video is scripted and did not actually happen. Hence, the claim is misleading.

On a similar note, last week, a Facebook reel went viral where two men were eve-teasing a burkha-clad woman at a bus stop. NewsMeter found that the video was first published by a YouTube Channel Eagle Eye. This channel also regularly publishes scripted videos with a disclaimer that the channel publishes “scripted dramas and parodies for entertainment and educational purposes.”

Recently, we have found many scripted videos being shared as real. Therefore, we request our readers to verify the authenticity of the videos before sharing them on social media.