A video showing a policeman chasing and beating a man with a stick is being shared with claims that Dalits are being targeted following the formation of the new government in Maharashtra. However, this claim is misleading. Reports indicate the incident occurred during violent protests in Parbhani, Maharashtra, where protestors attacked police personnel, vehicles, and public property. The video shows police lathi charged to control the unrest and restore order, not a targeted attack on Dalits.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @ambedkariteIND wrote, “Peshwa rule has been established in Maharashtra, Dalits are being chased and beaten mercilessly.”
Peshwa rule has been established in Maharashtra, Dalits are being chased and beaten mercilessly. pic.twitter.com/L7uve4O9jy
— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) December 12, 2024
Another account @dalitssamaj also shared the video and wrote, “The reinstated Peshwa rule in Maharashtra has led to brutal persecution of Dalits.”
🚨The reinstated Peshwa rule in Maharashtra has led to brutal persecution of Dalits.
— Dalit Samaj (@dalitssamaj) December 12, 2024
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🚨महाराष्ट्र में पुनः स्थापित पेशवा शासन के कारण दलितों पर क्रूर अत्याचार होने लगे।#BoycottBollywood #Jailer2 #ChatGPT Court Martial #GitaJayanti Brahmin pic.twitter.com/4CbPIQ1kxz
Several other users and Influencers have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @SAChroniclesX, @Team_AkashAnand, @JiyaKumari33
The truth about the video of Police lathi-charge, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident. We found that it was not a targeted attack on a particular caste or community as claimed by propagandists.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches and found multiple reports regarding the incident. According to reports (1, 2, 3), the incident occurred during a violent protest in Parbhani, Maharashtra, where protestors attacked police personnel, police vehicles, and public property. The video depicts a police lathi charge carried out to control the situation. And restore law and order, not as a targeted attack on Dalits.
The clash erupted in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district for the second consecutive day after a person vandalised a replica of the Constitution near the statue of BR Ambedkar outside the railway station on Tuesday, reported India Today.
During research, we found a video depicting violent protestors attacking police vehicles and police personnel.
Parbhani, Maharashtra: The public pelted stones at a police van, forcing the police personnel to flee with the van to save their lives pic.twitter.com/Le7BV61zuz
— IANS (@ians_india) December 11, 2024
Additionally, we did a reverse image search of some key frames from the viral video and found a YouTube video containing the same visuals. The video is available here.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that it was not a targeted attack on a particular community. But an action against violent activities to restore law and order.
2724
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) December 12, 2024
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video showing a policeman chasing and beating a man with a stick is being shared with claims that Dalits are being targeted following the formation of the new government in Maharashtra. However, this claim is misleading. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/IQB3EsJWMN
Intent
Propagandists and influencers are circulating videos of Parbhani violence with misleading claims to set their narrative to target the government and administration.
Conclusion
Claim– Dalits are being targeted following the formation of the new government in Maharashtra.
Fact – The video depicts a police lathi charge against violent protestors who attacked police personnel, police vehicles and public property.
Related Article: Fact Check: Video of documentary screening on Babri mosque in Maharashtra misrepresented as Bangladesh – D-Intent Data
