A video showing a group of young men bursting firecrackers during Diwali celebrations has gone viral on social media. In the footage, one boy wearing a helmet is seen holding a small box from which firework rockets are launched towards a building in the background. Also, a voice can be heard shouting “Pakistan, Pakistan” along with some expletives, leading some online users to claim that this was a clash between Hindu and Muslim communities.
The video is shared on Facebook with a caption: “ओडिशा में भी, मुसलमानों ने दिवाली मना रहे हिंदुओं पर हमला किया, लेकिन उड़िया हिंदुओं ने इस तरह जवाबी कार्रवाई की देखने में मजा आया! टर्मिनेटर मोड, सक्रिय कट्टर हिंदुत्व #ZeeNews #followers #highlight #friends #highlights @followers @highlight”
(English translation: In Odisha too, Muslims attacked Hindus celebrating Diwali, but Odia Hindus retaliated like this, it was fun to watch! Terminator mode, hardline Hindutva in action #ZeeNews #followers #highlight #friends #highlights @followers @highlight)
Here’s the link to the above post. (Archive)
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the above claim, and found it to be MISLEADING.
Conducting a Reverse Image Search of the viral video keyframes, the NM team detected an identical video uploaded on YouTube, dated November 10, 2018. The description indicated it was recorded at the VIMSAR hostel, referring to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research located in Burla, Sambalpur district, Odisha. This establishes that the video is six years old and unrelated to recent events.
Recent reports from Odisha-based media outlets, including Odisha TV and Kanak News, confirmed that the video shows VIMSAR students launching fireworks at each other in a hostel Diwali celebration, with no communal angle involved. These reports further validate that the incident was purely festive.
Thus, it is evident from the above information that the video is an old clip of Diwali festivities among VIMSAR students and not evidence of any communal conflict.
If you want to fact-check any story, WhatsApp it now on +91 11 7127 9799
Click here for Latest Fact Checked News On NewsMobile WhatsApp Channel
