Viral video doesn’t show Yogi Adityanath applying ashes of deceased cop
Those sharing the video claim that the CM is applying ashes from the pyre of a police constable killed during an encounter by one of the shooters who killed Umesh Pal.
By Md Mahfooz Alam Published on 7 March 2023 10:58 AM GMT
(Screengrab source: Twitter)
Hyderabad: A video of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath applying ashes from a pyre on his forehead is being shared on social media. Those sharing the video claim that the CM is applying ashes from the pyre of a police constable killed during an encounter by one of the shooters who killed Umesh Pal.
Pal was a key witness in the 2005 murder of former BSP legislator Raju Pal.
A Facebook user shared the video and wrote, “Our Shri Yogi Adityanath Maharaj ji applying the ashes of the police constable who was martyred in the Umesh Pal murder case in Prayagraj.”
(Screengrab source: Facebook)
A verified Twitter user also shared the video with the same claim.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the video is from 2022 and shows Yogi Adityanath applying ashes from a Holika pyre.
We ran a keyword search and found the same video tweeted by journalist Sameer Dixit on 22 March 2022. He said Yogi Adityanath applied ashes on his forehead after the Holika burning.
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sadhvi Prachi also tweeted the video on 22 March 2022. She tagged Yogi Adityanath in the tweet and said it is the tradition of Sanatan dharma that Holika’s ashes are applied on the forehead after it gets cold.
We also came across a report by ETV Bharat from 16 March 2022 which carried an image of Yogi Adityanath applying Holika’s ashes on his forehead inside the Goraknath temple.
It is evident that the video dates back to 2022 and shows Yogi Adityanath applying ashes from a Holika pyre. Hence, we conclude that the claim that the video shows UP CM applying ashes from the pyre of a police constable is misleading.
