Fact Check: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims attacked with stones? No, video is from Muzaffarabad, PoK
A video circulating on social media claiming to show Muslims pelting stones at a convoy of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims heading toward the temple is viral.
By M Ramesh Naik
Claim:A video shows Muslims pelting stones at a convoy of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims heading toward the temple.
Fact:The claim is false. The video is from Muzaffarabad, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and is unrelated to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
Hyderabad: A video circulating on social media claims to show Muslims pelting stones at a convoy of pilgrims heading to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple. The footage shows a convoy of trucks and jeeps travelling along a ghat road, with stones being thrown from a hillside above. The video also shows a river in the valley and sounds of gunfire with people shouting, āMaro maro...ā
A Facebook user shared the video with the caption, āMuslims pelt stones on convoy going to visit Mata Vaishno Devi temple (sic).ā (Translated from Telugu) (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video originates from Muzaffarabad, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and has no connection to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
Using a reverse image search of a keyframe from the viral video, we identified the valley as matching visuals of Muzaffarabad, PoK. A comparison with Google Maps imagery confirmed the location.
A keyword search led to a Deccan Herald report, published on May 14, 2024, detailing an incident in Muzaffarabad, PoK, where three people were killed during firing and teargas shelling by security forces amid protests. The report mentions stone-pelting by protesters, which aligns with the visuals in the viral video.
Similar reports were found in Hindustan Times, published on May 14, 2024, The Times of India, and Business Standard, all confirming the incident occurred in Muzaffarabad, PoK, during local protests.
No credible reports or news articles link the video to stone pelting on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. The incident depicted is unrelated to the temple or its pilgrims.
Therefore, NewsMeter concludes that the viral claim is false.
