The recent visit of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Ayodhya to lay the foundation stone for the sanctum sanctorum  of the Ram Temple, has  once again kindled the online buzz about Ayodhya. It is in this context that several users shared a video of an ‘unboxing’ of what appears to be an ancient scroll, claiming to show a Buddhist relic that was recently discovered from the site. However, Newschecker has found this claim to be false.

Users claimed that the video showed ‘Tamrapatra’ or copper plate, that were used for documentation in the past, and claimed that the find highlighted the Buddhist legacy of Ayodhya.

Screenshot of Facebook post by @IndianDalitEkta

Screenshot of Facebook post by naresh.singoliya.35

British army officer and archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham was the first to survey 

 in 1862-63. His intention was to relocate Buddhist sites and to establish the Buddhist antecedents of Ayodhya. He also concluded that the cities of Visakha, Saketa (a centre of Buddhism) and Ayodhya were the same. 

The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University led-by  Professor

, conducted an excavation at Ayodhya during 1969-70. The excavation unearthed certain objects  but there was no mention of any copper plate or scroll being found during the dig. 

 The writings of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, who visited between 629 and 645 AD, record 3,000 monks and 100 monasteries in Ayodhya alone. Land-levelling work for the Ram temple in Ayodhya has revealed artefacts on-site too. 

had demanded analysis of the recovered items by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), claiming that the ancient artefacts found during the land levelling work at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya on Thursday proved that it was a Buddha Sthal (Buddhist pilgrimage site). 

 had staged a fast unto death in Ayodhya on claiming that the Ram Janmabhoomi area was a Buddhist site and should be handed over to UNESCO for excavation. The monks demanded the construction work of Ram temple be stopped immediately and UNESCO should take over excavation work at the site.

Actor Gagan Malik Has Become A Monk? No, Viral Claim Is Misleading

To verify the authenticity of the claim, Newschecker began by conducting Google reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral video which led by to several Twitter posts from 2020, confirming that the video showing “copper plate from excavation in Ayodhya” is not recent, but has been in circulation on social media platforms at least from the past two years. 

One such tweets by user @ramesh_gogi, dated June 8, 2020, carried a clearer version of the viral video with the caption, “While digging for the construction of Sri Ram Lalla Mandir at Sri Ram Janmabhoomi at Ayodhya, a Time Capsule was discovered showing the details of original temple.” An archived version of the same can be found 

Screengrab of Tweet by @ramesh_gogi, dated June 8, 2020

On carefully inspecting the video, Newschecker found that several symbols seen on the metal container related to Jewish iconography. The symbol of an open palm with a star imprint, was found to be a 

  -a hand shaped amulet used for protection by both Jewish and Muslim communities. The Hamsa is usually shaped in the form of a symmetrical hand, with thumbs on both sides, not anatomically accurate. 

(L-R) Screenshot from viral video. Courtesy: Twitter @ramesh_gogi | Image of Hamsa. Courtesy:embassies.gov.il

The scroll also featured an image of a candle, which was identified to be a 

– a seven-branched candelabra which is considered to be one of the oldest  symbols of the Jewish faith and is used in Jewish Temples.

(L-R) Screenshot from viral video. Courtesy: Twitter @ramesh_gogi | Image of Menorah Courtesy:jewishvirtuallibrary.org

Several symbols related to Jewish culture can be seen on the scroll as well. On analysing the video, one can see symbols typical to Jewish iconography, including a Menorah, two lions, and a 

. We were unable to identify the script on the document.

On further research, we found a clearer version of the viral video uploaded on YouTube by user ‘SRIRAM PRABHU KUMAR’ on March 19, 2022 with the caption, ‘

500 B.C | Original book of Esther found in Iran with a pure Golden Literature

.’ Using Google Lens tool, Newschecker 

a few letters that were written on the scroll to conclude that the language of the text seen in the scroll was ‘

’ -a language often associated with the Jews. 

To verify if the scroll was indeed the ‘Original book of Esther found in Iran with a pure Golden Literature’ as claimed in the YouTube video, we conducted a keyword search for ‘Esther Original Book Iran’ and found an article by 

 dated April 26, 2022, which termed the claim to be false. 

As per the report,  a professor of Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages at University of California, Los Angeles, William Schniedewind said, “The vowel markings on the (scroll in the video) weren’t even invented until at least the seventh century A.D.” Schniedewind said in an email. That was hundreds of years after the book of Esther was written.

However, we were independently unable to verify the same.

The viral video does not show a copper plate or scroll belonging to the Buddhist period that was recovered during excavation or land levelling in Ayodhya.

​If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 

​. You can also visit the Contact Us​ page and fill out the form. 

The recent visit of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Ayodhya to lay the foundation stone for the sanctum sanctorum  of the Ram Temple, has  once again kindled the online buzz about Ayodhya. It is in this context that several users shared a video of an ‘unboxing’ of what appears to be an ancient scroll, claiming to show a Buddhist relic that was recently discovered from the site. However, Newschecker has found this claim to be false.Users claimed that the video showed ‘Tamrapatra’ or copper plate, that were used for documentation in the past, and claimed that the find highlighted the Buddhist legacy of Ayodhya.<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/t11.jpeg" alt="Buddhist-Era Copper Plate Recovered In Ayodhya Excavation? ">Screenshot of Tweet by @IndianDalitEkta<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/t22.jpeg" alt="">Screenshot of Tweet by @Rajeshrang_<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/face.jpeg" alt="">Screenshot of Facebook post by @IndianDalitEkta<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/facebook-7.jpeg" alt="">Screenshot of Facebook post by naresh.singoliya.35Links to such posts can be found <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220602060725/https://twitter.com/IndianDalitEkta/status/1529219637514162177">here</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220601102301/https://twitter.com/Rajeshrang_/status/1531854117068771328">here</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://fb.watch/dozj_XB_ha/">here</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/naresh.singoliya.35/posts/pfbid0wzz3Ta5U1MMp6tsvbpMCz8bt3nJrrhSQmaDoDLcXR16BbmszLTPsCgnY7FrVzrZMl">here</a>.<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/ace.jpeg" alt="">Screengrab of viral Facebook posts<h2>The Buddhist-Ayodhya Link</h2>British army officer and archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham was the first to survey <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/The-ASI-Report-a-review/article16052925.ece">Ayodhya</a> in 1862-63. His intention was to relocate Buddhist sites and to establish the Buddhist antecedents of Ayodhya. He also concluded that the cities of Visakha, Saketa (a centre of Buddhism) and Ayodhya were the same. The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University led-by  Professor<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://nmma.nic.in/nmma/nmma_doc/Indian%20Archaeology%20Review/Indian%20Archaeology%201969-70%20A%20Review.pdf"> A. K. Narain</a>, conducted an excavation at Ayodhya during 1969-70. The excavation unearthed certain objects  but there was no mention of any copper plate or scroll being found during the dig. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/discovery-channels-how-new-finds-are-changing-buddhist-history-101621060757051.html">Reportedly,</a> The writings of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, who visited between 629 and 645 AD, record 3,000 monks and 100 monasteries in Ayodhya alone. Land-levelling work for the Ram temple in Ayodhya has revealed artefacts on-site too. In 2020, Congress leader<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/ram-temple-site-in-ayodhya-a-buddhist-sthal/story-aDrCNpNa4sRnkI72niQ2hP.html"> Udit Raj </a>had demanded analysis of the recovered items by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), claiming that the ancient artefacts found during the land levelling work at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya on Thursday proved that it was a Buddha Sthal (Buddhist pilgrimage site). In addition, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/ram-janmabhoomi-a-buddhist-site-monks/articleshow/76971497.cms">Buddhist monks</a> had staged a fast unto death in Ayodhya on claiming that the Ram Janmabhoomi area was a Buddhist site and should be handed over to UNESCO for excavation. The monks demanded the construction work of Ram temple be stopped immediately and UNESCO should take over excavation work at the site.Also Read: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newschecker.in/fact-check/gagan-malik-misleading-claim">Actor Gagan Malik Has Become A Monk? No, Viral Claim Is Misleading</a><h2>Fact Check/Verification</h2>To verify the authenticity of the claim, Newschecker began by conducting Google reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral video which led by to several Twitter posts from 2020, confirming that the video showing “copper plate from excavation in Ayodhya” is not recent, but has been in circulation on social media platforms at least from the past two years. One such tweets by user @ramesh_gogi, dated June 8, 2020, carried a clearer version of the viral video with the caption, “While digging for the construction of Sri Ram Lalla Mandir at Sri Ram Janmabhoomi at Ayodhya, a Time Capsule was discovered showing the details of original temple.” An archived version of the same can be found <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220602105105/https://twitter.com/ramesh_gogi/status/1269973849522663424">here</a>.<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/canva1.jpeg" alt="">Screengrab of Tweet by @ramesh_gogi, dated June 8, 2020On carefully inspecting the video, Newschecker found that several symbols seen on the metal container related to Jewish iconography. The symbol of an open palm with a star imprint, was found to be a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://embassies.gov.il/oslo/AboutIsrael/Culture/Pages/Hamsa.aspx">Hamsa</a>  -a hand shaped amulet used for protection by both Jewish and Muslim communities. The Hamsa is usually shaped in the form of a symmetrical hand, with thumbs on both sides, not anatomically accurate. <img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/screenshot-2022-06-03-131514.jpeg" alt="">(L-R) Screenshot from viral video. Courtesy: Twitter @ramesh_gogi | Image of Hamsa. Courtesy:embassies.gov.ilThe scroll also featured an image of a candle, which was identified to be a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-menorah">Menorah</a>– a seven-branched candelabra which is considered to be one of the oldest  symbols of the Jewish faith and is used in Jewish Temples.<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/menorah-2.jpeg" alt="">(L-R) Screenshot from viral video. Courtesy: Twitter @ramesh_gogi | Image of Menorah Courtesy:jewishvirtuallibrary.orgSeveral symbols related to Jewish culture can be seen on the scroll as well. On analysing the video, one can see symbols typical to Jewish iconography, including a Menorah, two lions, and a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Star-of-David">Star of David</a>. We were unable to identify the script on the document.<img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/okay-2.jpeg" alt="">Screenshots from the viral videoOn further research, we found a clearer version of the viral video uploaded on YouTube by user ‘SRIRAM PRABHU KUMAR’ on March 19, 2022 with the caption, ‘<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kp9DmVjz-w">500 B.C | Original book of Esther found in Iran with a pure Golden Literature</a>.’ Using Google Lens tool, Newschecker <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://translate.google.co.in/?sl=auto&amp;tl=en&amp;text=%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%97%D7%94%D7%94%D7%99%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9E%27&amp;op=translate">translated </a>a few letters that were written on the scroll to conclude that the language of the text seen in the scroll was ‘<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/arts/language/linguistics/hebrew-language">Hebrew</a>’ -a language often associated with the Jews. <img src="https://images.factly.in/dega/english/2022/6/screenshot-2022-06-03-132618.jpeg" alt="">Screenshot from Google LensTo verify if the scroll was indeed the ‘Original book of Esther found in Iran with a pure Golden Literature’ as claimed in the YouTube video, we conducted a keyword search for ‘Esther Original Book Iran’ and found an article by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/04/26/fact-check-scroll-golden-lettering-not-biblical-book-esther/7418176001/">The USA Today,</a> dated April 26, 2022, which termed the claim to be false. As per the report,  a professor of Hebrew Bible and Semitic languages at University of California, Los Angeles, William Schniedewind said, “The vowel markings on the (scroll in the video) weren’t even invented until at least the seventh century A.D.” Schniedewind said in an email. That was hundreds of years after the book of Esther was written.However, we were independently unable to verify the same.<h2>Conclusion</h2>The viral video does not show a copper plate or scroll belonging to the Buddhist period that was recovered during excavation or land levelling in Ayodhya.<h2>Result: False Context/False</h2>SourcesWebsite: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://embassies.gov.il/oslo/AboutIsrael/Culture/Pages/Hamsa.aspx">embassies.gov.il</a>Website Of<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-menorah"> Jewish Virtual Library</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Star-of-David">Britannica.com</a>Report By <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/04/26/fact-check-scroll-golden-lettering-not-biblical-book-esther/7418176001/">The USA Today,</a> dated April 26, 2022<hr>​If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 ​or email us at ​checkthis@newschecker.in​. You can also visit the Contact Us​ page and fill out the form.

Article

Buddhist-Era Copper Plate Recovered In Ayodhya Excavation? No, Viral claim is False

A text message is being widely shared on WhatsApp and social media platforms, which warns users of a new scam called SIM Swap Fraud. According to the viral message, users targeted with this fraud briefly lose their network connectivity before they receive a phone call from their ‘service provider’ asking them to enter certain numbers to get their mobile operation to resume. Newschecker found that the viral message is misleading, and does not paint the true picture.

Newschecker received the viral message on our WhatsApp tipline (+91 9999499044) to be fact checked. 

We also found several users sharing the claim on Facebook with similar captions.

Pills In Luppo Cakes? Old Hoax Resurfaces, Yet Again

We started our investigation by conducting a keyword search on Google along with the words “SIM Swap Fraud” and found several media reports warning users of the scam. One such 

 uploaded on their website on 12th February, 2018 titled ‘‘I Lived a Nightmare:’ SIM Hijacking Victims Share Their Stories’.

According to the report, a SIM swap, at its most basic, is when someone gets your carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they own. They aren’t doing it to conceal prank calls or run up long-distance fees. Scammers can quickly complete the text-based two-factor authentication procedures that guard your most sensitive accounts by redirecting your incoming messages. Or, if you don’t already have two-factor enabled, they may be able to deceive services into divulging your passwords by using your phone number.

fact-check by a tech based website called Tech Arp

 titled ‘Can SIM Swap Attack Empty Bank Accounts Without Warning?’ uploaded on their website on 16th January, 2022.

Explaining that SIM swap attacks do exist, and are extremely hazardous, the article details that they do not function in the way the viral message suggests.

In the majority of SIM swap scams, con artists ask for a SIM card replacement by using your personal information, “which they have either stolen from you, bought from other criminals, or gained through prior phishing scams or other forms of social engineering”. 

“The scammer doesn’t need you to do anything … Most of the time, it’s not until you can no longer access your cell number that you realise you’ve been struck,” reads the report.

Does your bank account immediately get swiped clean?

, Steven Andrés, an instructor in the graduate program in homeland security at San Diego State University said that in most cases, victims don’t even realise their SIMs have been changed until it is too late, Andrés stated, as opposed to being duped over the phone and prompted to hit a button to start a malicious swap.

Andres further stated that the current phone’s SIM will just read “No Carrier” without making a notification. Both receiving and placing phone calls will be impossible for you but it does not, however, imply that your bank accounts will suddenly be swiped clean. The scammers need to be in possession of other details such as your bank login. The swapping of sim cards aids them in completing the text-based two-factor authentication procedures that guard your most sensitive accounts by redirecting your incoming messages. Or, if you don’t already have two-factor enabled, they may be able to deceive services into divulging your passwords by using your phone number.

So what about entering values that the scammer asks you to? 

 explains that entering the digit 1 can be somewhat true, however it only occurs under certain conditions. “The scammer will call the victim, claiming to be from their mobile service provider, and will try to get the victim to reveal his/her 20-digit SIM card number. The scammer will then use the 20-digit SIM number to initiate a SIM swap with the mobile service provider. The mobile service provider will automatically send an SMS to confirm the swap. Once the victim confirms the swap, his/her SIM card will stop working. The scammer now has access to the victim’s mobile number,” the article further explains.

Newschecker’s investigation revealed that the viral forward about SIM Swap fraud is partly false. If the user is targeted by a SIM card swap fraud, their bank accounts will not be emptied immediately as is claimed, as scammers need to know the user’s bank logins and passwords through other phishing scams. SIM card swap will only allow scammers to intercept OTPs to complete transactions.

If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 

​. You can also visit the Contact Us​ page and fill the form.

Here’s The Truth Behind The Viral SIM Swap Fraud

Several social media users are circulating a video, claiming that Rahul Gandhi and other Congress party leaders were coming out drunk from a bar in Kerala. Gandhi is currently in the state as part of the party’s five-month-long journey across India called Bharat Jodo Yatra. The leader on Thursday resumed the 15th day of the yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10, from a college in Ernakulam district. The yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, is set to cover a 

 and is scheduled to conclude in Jammu and Kashmir. The viral video has various social media users mocking the march, calling it “Bar Jodo Yatra”.

The archived versions of the tweets can be seen 

On conducting a keyword search for the video on Facebook, Newschecker came across a Facebook post, attaching the same video, by a user 

. The description stated that the ‘bar’ in the video is actually an eatery owned by one Ansar in Oachira.

Enquiring further, we came across another Facebook post by one 

, who shared a photo of Gandhi eating at Malabar Hotel in Oachira, Kollam. Kollam is a southern district in Kerala, which Gandhi had already crossed as part of the yatra close to a week ago.

From this post, we learnt that the hotel was established 75 years ago by a long-time Congress supporter and it is now being run by Ansar, the founder’s son. 

We then contacted Ansar, who said, “Rahul Gandhi and some other leaders came here for breakfast around 7:30 in the morning, which can be clearly seen on our CCTV footage. It is a hotel frequented by the public for meals. Neither do we have a bar, nor do we serve liquor here. As there is a small step on the way out of the hotel, some of the leaders stumbled there, making it seem like they were swaying drunk.”

Congress leader K Muraleedharan stumbles near the step.

CCTV footage shows Congress leaders eating

The hotel owner also shared with Newschecker the CCTV footage showing Gandhi and other Congress workers eating food. It can be seen that the Congress workers are not drinking at the hotel, confirming that no consumption of liquor happened at this particular eatery.

and found it to match the viral video and CCTV footage.

Pictures of the eatery from restaurantguru.in

While our investigation has revealed that no alcohol was served in Malabar Hotel, where Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders stopped for breakfast, there are multiple variables here that cannot be fact checked. Hence it is not possible to verify if any of the Congress leaders or workers consumed alcohol in any other instance outside the hotel.

CCTV visuals from Malabar Hotel on September 17,2022

Telephone conversation with Ansar owner of Malabar Hotels

With reporting inputs from Kerala by Sabloo Thomas.

If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback, or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 

Our investigation revealed that no alcohol was served in Malabar Hotel, where Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders stopped for breakfast during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Did Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leaders Get Drunk At ‘Kerala Bar’? Here’s What We Found

A 50-second-long-video showing a person unwrapping a mini-cake bar and breaking it apart to reveal pills hidden inside, is going viral on social media platforms. A person can be heard speaking in the background in Kashmiri, “The people who have conscience will share this video, those who don’t will not. Your one share will save someone’s life. This video I received from a friend who requested me to share this. This is lopo chocolate and see the pills in this. This can be hazardous for someone’s health.”

 Several users shared the video with the caption “Medicine pills found in LOPO chocolates.”

Screenshot of Facebook post by @malikthejournalist

Screenshot of Facebook post by @knewshour

Screenshot of Facebook post by @Officialll786

Newschecker has debunked the same claim in 

Video On Presence Of Cockroaches In Chocolates Is Misleading

On carefully analysing the video, we spotted “Luppo” written on the wrapper of the cake, and not “Lopo” as the claims mention. Following this, we looked up keywords “Luppo cake pills” on Facebook and found that the video has been in circulation since 

 with slightly varied claims about the pills in the cake. 

A clearer version of the video was also uploaded on

 in November 2019 with the title “Şölen Luppo cakes with pills?” In this video, we were able to spot a crack in the middle of the cake. Additionally, the person very hastily crumbles one part of the cake, while being very careful with the other side where pills can be seen. This raises questions; did the person already know the exact spot where the pills were “hidden,” and why was the “hunt” immediately halted after two tablets were found? Was the person aware that there were no more pills?

Notably, Luppo is a brand by Turkish company 

. We came across a two-year-old article by Turkish fact checking organisation 

 verifying the viral video. It stated, “When the video is carefully examined, the deformation in the cake is noticed. The product is not sold in Turkey, it is an export product and the results of the inspections are clean. “ 

Further, Teyit was also able to trace the original source of the video to an Iraqi YouTube channel, Wishe Press. It also pointed out that “another product exported from Turkey seen in the video is Aspiliç, belonging to As Tavukçuluk. As Tavukçuluk’s biggest export market is Iraq, which further strengthens the possibility that this video was shot in Iraq.”

that a spokesperson for Sölen confirmed that that particular product is only sold in Iraq.

 in 2019 which led to a boycott attempt of its product in Northern Iraq. “It is stated that the reason for the emergence of such videos may be attempts to boycott (Turkish products),” Teyit noted. 

 post by Erbil Health Protection Affairs Directorate, dated November 6, 2019- around the time when the video first surfaced- clarifying “that the sample of the cake (Luppo cake) has been tested in the laboratory and is edible.”

The same was also highlighted in the Teyit report, “the production processes of food products undergo both internal and independent inspection . No findings were found in the laboratory results of independent inspectors for Şölen Chocolate.”

Viral claim that there are pills in Luppo cakes is not true. The video has been in circulation for the past three years and has been debunked multiple times.

If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the 

Fact Check

A video showing officials, purportedly from the Enforcement Directorate, counting wads of cash using a counting machine even as mounds of currency of notes are seen piled up on the side, is being widely shared on social media. Users sharing the video claimed it to be an ED raid on the property of “Shekhar Agarwal, an AAP leader from Surat, Gujarat”. The claims come amid the party’s busy campaigning in the state for the Assembly elections due  later this year. Newschecker has found the claim to be false.

Newschecker began by looking up reports of any such raid with the keywords “raid AAP Shekhar Agarwal”, which did not throw up any relevant news reports. 

On closely analysing the video, Newschecker observed that the language heard in the viral video was Bengali, and not Gujarati. We then ran a reverse image search of keyframes of the video, which led us to this news report on 

from India Today, titled “Mobile Gaming App Scam: ED Recovers Massive Cash From Kolkata Businessman Linked To E-Nuggets App”. 

Uploaded on September 11, 2022, the description of the video read, “The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches at six locations in Kolkata while probing an alleged case of fraud through a mobile gaming app. A team of ED officials, accompanied by bank officials, raided the premises of businessman Aamir Khan in the Garden Reach area of Kolkata on Saturday and seized Rs 7 crore in cash and property documents. The raid is underway and cash counting machines were brought in to ascertain the exact amount of cash recovered.”

Taking a cue, Newschecker then ran a Google search on the keywords “ED raid Aamir Khan Kolkata”, which led us to multiple news reports from the past week, including 

 According to NDTV report, dated September 11, 2022, a search operation by ED led to the recovery of over ₹ 17 crore from the premises of a businessman in Kolkata. The anti-money laundering agency raided six locations in Kolkata including one in Garden Reach area, where the ED brought in cash-counting machines to count the amount recovered. “The search started on Saturday morning at the premises of Aamir Khan, who ED officials say is not cooperating with the agency. The counting of cash ended on Sunday morning,” the report read. We observed that the video used in the news report, too, is the same viral clip.

A comparison of screenshots of the viral clip (top), the NDTV report (bottom right) and the India Today video (bottom left).

Also, barring the viral claims, we could not find any indication that a member of the party by the name “Shekhar Agarwal” existed. We also looked up the party’s official website that also did not have any mention of such a member. We then reached out to AAP regarding this. We will update the article once a response is received. 

Viral video of ED raids on Kolkata businessman’s house falsely claimed to be “raid on AAP leader’s house in Surat”.

Viral Video Showing ED Raid Is From Kolkata, Not ‘Surat AAP Leader’s Home’

In wake of the rise in child lifting rumours across India, several Kashmir based social media platforms are sharing a video claiming to show four non-locals who were held after an alleged attempt to kidnap children in Lar area of Ganderbal in Kashmir. Newschecker has found that the claim is false. 

Video Showing Child Kidnapping On Cam Is Scripted

Facebook page JK live was among the pages that shared the video with the caption “In a Shocking incident villagers in Ganderbal captured 4 non locals who were attempting to kidnap children in a car. Police team reached the spot, arrested all 4 and seized their vehicle also. #Kashmir

Several other pages also shared the same video with similar claims. You can see the posts 

Increase In Misinformation Surrounding Child theft

The number of claims on WhatsApp and social media alleging child theft/kidnap children has seen a spike in the recent days. In Maharashtra’s Sangli, a group of sadhus who were travelling to Pandharpur were stopped and 

Tv Channels Run Visuals From Old Theft Incident In MP Falsely Linking Them To Recent Attack On Sadhus In Sangli

in UP’s Indrawar were suspected to be child lifters by local villagers and handed over to the police. Several users later shared the video of the men in police custody with false allegation that they were trying to kidnap children and selling their organs.

Scripted videos showing men kidnap children have also seen a rise in the recent past, with many of them being shared as authentic, triggering panic and concern among netizens.

Newschecker began investigating the claim by conducting a google search with keywords ‘non-locals kidnap children in Ganderbal’ and found several reports denying the claim. You can read them 

 reported that the police refuted the claim of non-locals being caught kidnapping children in Ganderbal.

“Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday refuted reports claiming kidnapping of a minor child by some unknown non-locals in Yanihama locality of Lar in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district” the report read. According to the report the non-locals held were begging in the area and were neither involved in kidnapping or theft. 

Speaking to the media, Nikhil Borkar, SSP Ganderbal, said that the group was visiting from Punjab and going from home-to-home seeking alms when locals suspected them of being child kidnappers.

“We rushed to the spot after we received the information and took 4 people into custody. During the investigation we found that these men beg for a living. Eyewitness told us that they did not make any attempt to kidnap any children, and that they just asked for water and rice. We also called the owner of the house which they visited who denied any act of kidnapping. Panic was created only after some social media platforms began circulating the video. We request all social media users to verify the cases which have a criminal angle with the police before sharing it” the SSP said.

Police also warned social media users from circulating fake news that non-locals were trying to kidnap children. “Whosoever shall be involved in circulating such fake and baseless news shall be held under relevant sections of law,” the Ganderbal police said on the official twitter handle of district police.

We also reached out to local journalist Firdous Ahmad Khan who confirmed that the non locals apprehended were not child lifters, but beggars. 

“The non-locals approached a homeowner asking if they wanted his fortune told. The house owner asked them to leave the premises. As they were leaving, local residents gathered around, suspecting them of kidnapping children and started beating them. Some locals informed the police,” Firdous clarified.

Newschecker investigation revealed that the news of non-locals allegedly attempting to kidnap children in J&K’s Ganderbal is false.

Phonic conversation with Journalist Firdous Ahmad

Non-Local Child Lifters Apprehended At Kashmir’s Ganderbal? No, Viral Claim Is False  

Image shows Beef Biryani recipe mix by Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved.

Screenshot of Facebook post by @swamdogofficial

Newschecker scanned through the official website of Patanjali Ayurved to ascertain whether the firm offers any such product or not. We looked up words like “Beef,” “Beef Biryani, “ Beef Biryani Recipe Mix,” on the website but did not find any such offering listed in their online catalogue.

Further, we noticed that  none of the products seen in

 website featured ‘Ramdev’ written on their packages as seen in the viral image. Additionally, the colour schema of Patanjali’s trademark seen in the viral image is different from that of the firm’s authentic logo.

(L-R) Images of products listed on the official website of Patanjali Ayurved and viral image

Following this, we conducted a Google reverse image search on the viral image which led to a product listed on the website of 

On comparing the viral image with the National Beef Biryani Recipe Mix, we found several similarities in the packaging and could conclude that “Ramdev” and “Patanjali” were digitally added to the photo of  Biryani recipe mix listed on National Foods website. 

(L-R) Viral image and screenshot of Beef Biryani Recipe Mix by National Foods

Further, on carefully analysing the viral image we spotted the word ‘SATIRE’ written on the right side of the package. It is likely that the photo was altered in an attempt to mock the brand.

If you liked this and want to read more such fact checks then click 

Beef Biryani Recipe Mix By Ramdev’s Patanjali? Edited Photo Goes Viral

Political leaders from J&K accused the central government of pushing the “Hindutva agenda” in J&K soon after a video went viral on social media, allegedly showing students and teachers in a school in Kashmir singing a ‘Hindu hymn’.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was among those who shared the video in a tweet, stating “Jailing religious scholars, shutting down Jama Masjid & directing school kids here to sing Hindu hymns exposes the real hindutva agenda of GOI in Kashmir. Refusing these rabid dictates invites PSA & UAPA. It is the cost that we are paying for this so-called “Badalta J&K”.

Senior leader and state spokesperson of the National Conference, Imran Nabi Dar, also shared the same video, questioning whether the educational institutions in Kashmir have been turned into a “political tool”.

We found that the same video was posted by many others on social media along with claiming that “Modi’s Hindutva regime is forcing Muslim children to chant Hindu devotional songs”. You can check the tweets 

Facebook users also shared the same video terming the video as worrying for Kashmir. A Facebook user Syed Sana, has 

 that has garnered over 90K views, 644 comments and 2.1k shares.

The video is also shared on YouTube as shown below.

On closely analysing the viral video, one can see a board right in the first few frames of the video. It clearly reads ‘Govt High School, Nagam, Kulgam’. It also states “Zone: D.H. Pora” and ‘Estt 1950’, suggesting it has been running for over 70 years. Nagam area is located in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. 

Speaking to Newschecker, Gulzar Ahmad Beig, the deputy headmaster of the school, confirmed that the viral video was indeed recorded inside the school premises and revealed that the singing was part of the preparations for the upcoming Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. “Different activities were slated to be held in the run-up to Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. This was being held as per a government directive,” he told Newschecker.

We further contacted the Chief Education Officer of Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Rather, who confirmed that the activity happened as per government directive. “This is part of a prayer for the upcoming Gandhi Jayanti event, which is to be celebrated on October 2. Govt has directed all govt schools to prepare for the Gandhi Jayanti,” Md Ashraf told us.

Activity schedule as per government order for the preparation of Gandhi Jayanti

‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ A Hindu Hymn?

, it is a famous devotional hymn originally written by 17th-century Vaishnava poet Lakshmanacharya. It was later modified by Mahatma Gandhi and was used during the Dandi march. The full lyrics of the hymn can be read on the 

 of Gandhi Sevagram Ashram, which was founded by Mahatama Gandhi in 1936 in Maharashtra, under the title of ‘Gandhiji’s Favourite Hymns’.

The third stanza of Gandhi’s version of the hymn reads ‘Ishwar Allah Tero Nam, Sabako Sanmati De Bhagawan’ which translates to ‘Iswar and Allah are your names / May God bestow wisdom on all’ indicating the secular nature of the hymn.

Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence

, historian and author Vinay Lal writes, “Narayan Desai, the son of Gandhi’s beloved secretary, Mahadev Desai, spent some years of his childhood around Gandhi and later recalled that the Ramdhun seemed to have become popular during the Salt March and the subsequent civil disobedience movement, and it continues to resonate strongly, and not only among devout Hindus, in contemporary India.” 

“Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and the practitioners of other faiths may all know God by different names, but Gandhi did not doubt that behind this multifariousness in form there was one essential unity”, Lal writes. 

Further research highlights the secular pitch of the song. “Clearly modified with a view to spreading the message of reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims, the song was set to tune by the renowned musicologist, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar,” reads a report on the famous hymn published by 

The claim that ‘Govrnment of India is pushing Hindutva agenda by forcing Muslim students in Kashmir to sing a “Hindu” hymn is misleading. The video shows students and teachers preparing for the upcoming Gandhi Jayanti celebrations based on the directive from the UT administration. Further, the Ramdhun is considered a secular, all-faith prayer popularised by Mahatma Gandhi. 

 website accessed on 20th September 2022 

 report dated 2nd October 2019. Archived Link 

3. Statement of Chief Education Officer, Kulgam as stated in a phone conversation with Newschecker.

4. Statement of Deputy Headmaster of the school, as stated in a phone conversation with Newschecker.

Hindu Hymn In Kashmir School? Here Is What We Found About The Row

Hours following her detention by Iran’s dreaded morality police for allegedly violating the hijab regulations, Mahsa Amini, 22, went into a coma. Witnesses accused the police of beating her. Mahsa Amini has since passed away. In this context, a video of a police officer manhandling a woman before dragging her into a police car, is going viral on social media claiming to show police brutality against Mahsa Amini in Iran for violating hijab rules.

We started our investigation by conducting a reverse search of the key-frames of the video on Google to verify its authenticity and found a

 uploaded on their website on 17th May, 2022 titled ‘Reactions to the police encounter with a woman in the Letyan dam’ when translated from Arabic via Google translate.

The report contained the same video which is viral now posted on 7th May, 2022 along with the caption ‘The broadcast of the video of the arrest of a woman near the Letyan Dam, which was accompanied by a sharp collision #پلیس , led to a reaction and the issuing of a special order by the head of the Tehran police.’ when translated via Google translate.

Newschecker conducted a keyword search with the words “Letyan Dam”, “woman arrested”, “police” and found a

 titled ‘The violent arrest of a woman in Letyan Dam; The agents were arrested, the police force: Grass was discovered in the car’ when translated via Google translate uploaded on their website on 8th May, 2022.

According to the report, in the video, a plainclothes police officer attempted to arrest a lady using physical force and aggression, which resulted in her falling to the ground. They were assisted by two more police officers.

This video received a lot of attention and negative feedback after it was shared on social media several times.

The report also stated that the Tehran Police Information Centre stated Tuesday, May 17, 2022 that Hossein Rahimi, the chief of the capital’s police, had given the required directives to follow up on this incident following the release of this video.

According to Murad Moradi, a deputy social police officer for Greater Tehran, the apprehended women were found to have “quantities of drugs of the grass kind (marijuana)” in their automobile.

Newschecker also checked the official Instagram account of BBC Persian where we found the video uploaded on 7th May, 2022.

Viral Video Claiming To Show Mahsa Amini Being Attacked By Iran's Morality Police Is False

A black-and-white video showing the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, being honoured in what appears to be an  official ceremony, is going viral on social media platforms. Addressing Jawaharlal Nehru, a man wearing a ceremonial gown can be heard saying, “…as Chamberlain of this City to offer you both the right hand of fellowship and greet you Mr Nehru as a citizen of London and you Mr Holland…” The video has prompted social media users to believe that India’s first PM had taken London’s citizenship. Newschecker found that claim to be misleading.

Several Twitter and Facebook users shared the video with the caption “How many people know that Nehru took citizenship of London in 1956 and took oath to be true to the Queen of England?”

Screenshot of Facebook post by @ankushsos

Screenshot of Facebook post by @bhaswardas

Posts Comparing Jail Cells Of Savarkar, Nehru And Gandhi Misleading, Here’s Why

On carefully analysing the video, we can hear the narrator saying, “The 

on Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, primer of India….” Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “freedom of the city” & “Nehru” on Google which led us to a video uploaded on 

, titled “FREEDOM OF THE CITY FOR PANDI NEHRU – SOUND (sic).”  We compared the keyframes of the viral clip with those of the AP Archive footage and found them to be from the same event.

(L-R) Screenshot from AP Archive video and screenshot of video posted by @bhaswardas on Facebook

The narrator can be heard saying, “….the occasion during which New Zealand’s Primer, Mr Holland was also to be honoured, 

was the presentation of the Freedom of the City to Nehru

.” Adding that Nehru was in Britain to attend the Commonwealth’s Prime Minister’s conference, “…now

. In ancient times, this Freedom was essential to any man who desired to exercise trade within the city’s boundaries. 

Nehru also can be seen addressing the gathering, ahead of which the narrator can be heard saying “In offering his thanks for the 

Following this, we conducted a Google search for “Nehru,” Holland,” &  “Freedom Of City” and found a YouTube video uploaded on the verified channel of 

on April 13, 2014, titled ‘London Honours Two Great Premiers (1956).’ Around 17 seconds in the video, we spotted the viral clip claiming to show Nehru taking London citizenship.

The description of the video reads, “Two great Prime Ministers,

 of India and Mr Holland of New Zealand, receive the 

at the Guildhall… The City Chamberlain speaking to Holland and Nehru (natural sound): “It is my privilege as Chamberlain of this City 