A video showing a bulldozer demolishing extended structures along a roadside is being shared with the claim that an illegal mosque was demolished. However, these claims are not true. According to reports, the video is from Hyderabad, where the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) carried out an anti-encroachment drive on January 25, 2025. Among the structures removed was an illegal Wazukhana (ablution area) of Masjid-e-Saleha, built on an encroached footpath in Hashamabad, Chandrayangutta. The Wazukhana, constructed outside the mosque, was demolished along with several illegal shops, restaurants, and other encroachments.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter), propaganda account @KreatelyMedia wrote, “Another structure (Mosque) razed down”.
एक और ढांचा समतल 😭 pic.twitter.com/zxv4x5gclg
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) February 27, 2025
Another propaganda account, @SaffronSunanda, also shared the video and wrote, “One More Illegal Mosque demolished. Enjoy the meltdown.”
One More Illegal Mosque demolished 🔥
— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) February 27, 2025
Enjoy the meltdownpic.twitter.com/JwgfbSIPAA
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here: @MithilaWaala, @Karishma_voice, @KreatelyMedia.
The truth about the video from Hyderabad, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the video. We found that the video was unrelated to religious persecution and mosque demolition.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a reverse image search of some keyframes from the viral video using Google Lens. This led us to media reports containing the same visuals. According to the reports (1, 2, 3), the video is from Hyderabad, where the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) carried out an anti-encroachment drive on January 25, 2025.
Furthermore, among the structures removed was an illegal Wazukhana (ablution area) of Masjid-e-Saleha, built on an encroached footpath in Hashamabad, Chandrayangutta. The Wazukhana, constructed outside the mosque, was demolished along with several illegal shops, restaurants, and other encroachments. The GHMC has conducted demolition drives in several areas of Hyderabad to remove encroachments and improve traffic. Hence, It has nothing to do with mosque demolition and religious persecution.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the video was unrelated to religious persecution and mosque demolition.
3005
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) February 28, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video showing a bulldozer demolishing extended structures along a road is being shared with the claim that an illegal mosque was demolished. According to reports, the video is from Hyderabad, (1/4) pic.twitter.com/WcY24LUpfV
Intent
Propagandists are circulating videos from Hyderabad without providing the actual context to set their narrative based on religion.
Conclusion
Claim– The video depicts the demolition of an Illegal Mosque.
Fact– The video is from an anti-encroachment drive conducted by authorities in Hyderabad. Nothing to do with religious persecution and mosque demolition. An illegal Wazu Khana outside the mosque was demolished.
Related Article: Fact Check: Video of people celebrating religious festival falsely linked to Sanjauli mosque row in Himachal Pradesh – D-Intent Data
