A recently shared video shows a group attacking a few naked men, which has been claimed to be a caste-based hate crime against Dalits. However, these men were reportedly caught engaging in indecent behavior while bathing at Ahilya Ghat in the Narmada River in Maheshwar. Their identities are currently unknown, as they fled after apologizing.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) @B_L__VERMA wrote. Dalits are completely safe in this country but if they go to the Ganga or temple of Manuwadis. They will be rewarded in this manner “!!. ( Translated from Hindi)
Another user @NagvanshiS93 also shared the video and wrote, Dalits are completely safe in the country. But if they go to the Ganga or temple of Manuwadis, they will be rewarded in this manner!
Several other users and influencers have also disseminated the video and made similar casteist claims. Their posts can be seen here, @Satwant_Rana_, @rohaan131997, @ChandJhangala
The truth about the viral video where people thrashed naked individuals at Narmada river, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the sensitive visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident and found that the claims about caste-based hate crimes against Dalit individuals are not true.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a reverse image search of some key frames from the viral video on Google Lens but couldn’t find verified sources regarding the incident. Afterwards, we ran a relevant keyword search on Google and this led us to a media report regarding the incident.
According to the report, On Tuesday(10 September 2024) late evening, some youths were bathing naked in the Narmada River at Ahilya Ghat situated on the banks of Narmada. People roaming around the ghat informed a group of youths about this. On this, the group of youths reached Ahilya Ghat and pulled out the youths who were having fun naked in the Narmada and also beat them up. Some people also informed the police about this but before the police arrived, the youths who were bathing naked ran away apologizing to the local people. During this time, a crowd of people had gathered at the ghat. The video of this incident also went viral on social media. People condemned this kind of act. Along with this, a demand was also made to establish a tourist post at the ghat.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the video was not related to caste-based hate crimes. The identity of the individuals remains unknown as they fled the spotlight after apologizing.
Intent
Social media users and influencers are circulating sensitive videos with misleading claims to set their narrative based on caste.
Conclusion
Claim– Upper caste people thrashed Dalit individuals for bathing in the Narmada river in Maheshwar.
Fact– The video shows people thrashing some individuals caught naked and involved in indecent acts at Ahilya Ghat in Narmada river, in Maheshwar. The identity of the individuals remains undisclosed as they fled after apologizing
Related Article: Fact-Check: Dalit delivery boy abused and beaten in Lucknow? – D-Intent Data (dintentdata.com)
