A video circulating online shows a vandalized idol of Goddess Durga at a pandal from Hyderabad, with claims that a Muslim individual was responsible for the damage in Nampally. However, police have arrested a man named Krishnaiah Goud, who is described as a vagrant or mentally disturbed.ย
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @anitavladivoski wrote, โDurga Mata’s idol was vandalized by Islamic Jihadi terrorists in Hyderabadโ. Local Hindu people were outraged.
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also shared the visuals and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @DeepakK62483580, @Rupak5948
The truth about the viral video from Hyderabad, Fact Checkย
As soon as the posts containing the sensitive video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident and found that the accused was not a Muslim individual but a Hindu individual with a mental disorder.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a relevant keyword search and found media reports and police statements regarding the incident. According to media reports (TOI, India Today )and police sources, a mentally disturbed man entered the pandal in search of food and inadvertently caused damage to the idol while disturbing the Prasadam. This incident is attributed to negligence by the organizers and is not connected to any religious hate crimes. The man has been identified as Krishnaiah Goud. The police described him as a vagabond or mentally disturbed.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the idol of the goddess Durga was not vandalized by a member belonging to the Muslim community. But a Hindu individual with a mental disorder was responsible for the act.
Intent
Social media users, influencers and propagandists are circulating sensitive videos with misleading claims to set their narrative based on religion.
Conclusion
Claim– A Muslim individual vandalized the idol of the goddess Durga at a Durga pandal in Hyderabadโs Nampally.
Fact– The police have arrested the accused identified as Krishnaiah Goud. He is a vagabond or mentally disturbed.
Related Article: Fact Check: Old video of vandalized temple falsely linked to the recent violence in Bangladesh – D-Intent Data
