Fact Check: Video of Muslim shopkeeper refusing to display Indian flag is scripted

An X user shared the video with the caption, “What should be done with these traitors? Earlier, they had issues with the saffron flag and now they have problems with the Tricolour as well. Some Hindu brothers tried to hoist the Tricolour at a traitor’s shop but the traitor refused, saying he won’t allow it at his shop, no matter what.” (Translated from Hindi) . (Archive)

Similar posts can be seen here and here. (Archive), (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false.

A reverse image search led to the original video uploaded on a YouTube channel, run by a person named Ritik Kataria, on August 14, 2023.

This indicated that the video is not new. The video concluded with the Muslim shopkeeper revealing that he had another flag on top of his shop. A police officer was also called into the scene who emphasised the importance of communal harmony. The hashtags like #motivationalstory, #trending and #viral in the video’s description hinted that the video is scripted.

The channel’s bio stated: “We are here to motivate you and get you into discipline for good. I am Ritik Kataria, son of Amar Kataria, who is a sub-inspector in Haryana police by profession and an actor by passion.”

"Ritik Kataria," the owner of the channel, is the same person who played the Muslim shopkeeper. The channel has posted other similar scripted videos featuring the same actors.

Moreover, we found Ritik Kataria on Instagram whose bio stated that he is an actor.

Hence, the claim that a Muslim shopkeeper refused to display the Indian flag is false. The video is scripted and the participants are actors.