A few days ago, on the 15th of August, a disturbing incident occurred during the Indian Independence Day celebration in Southall, London. The incident involved an altercation between two groups, which was later shared on social media with a misleading narrative. The fact of the matter is that a Khalistan separatist named Gurmeet Singh instigated the violence by attacking two men using a sharp weapon, who were actively participating in the Independence Day festivities. Misinformation spread that a Hindutva group had attacked Sikhs during the celebration. However, the truth reveals a different story.
The spread of false information was exacerbated by propagandist accounts with anti-India sentiments. Accounts such as @Majstar7, @mendcommunity, and @SAsiaSolidarity shared misleading claims, suggesting that the attack was a result of Hindutva ideology. These accounts aimed to exploit the situation to push their narratives and incite communal tensions. Kalpana Wilson, the founder of the South Asia Solidarity Network (SASG), seems to be at the core of this misinformation campaign. SASG circulated videos with false claims, attempting to fuel divisive narratives.
Gurmeet Singh, the attacker, was swiftly apprehended by the authorities and subsequently charged with multiple offences, including attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a bladed article, and affray. The Metropolitan Police of the UK promptly responded to the situation. The attacker was charged with his crimes and appeared in court. The injured victims received medical attention, and fortunately, their injuries were not life-threatening. The police emphasized the importance of avoiding speculative comments based on social media footage. The Met Police later released a press note regarding this incident, you can access it here, [archive]
The scuffle that marred the Independence Day celebration was not a result of actions by a Hindutva group, as initially propagated by certain sources. The actual perpetrator, Gurmeet Singh, a Khalistani separatist, was responsible for the attack on two men. Following comprehensive analysis and meticulous fact-checking, our team has investigated the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread embedded below and also better clarity you can read the BBC report, here. [archive]
Claim: The Hindutva group attacked Sikhs during the Indian Independence celebration in Southall, London.
Fact: The altercation was provoked by a Khalistani separatist, Gurmeet Singh, who attacked two men during the Independence Day celebration.
In our pursuit of accurate and unbiased information, we’ve diligently fact-checked the claims surrounding the incident. Misinformation can sow discord and disrupt communal harmony. Your support matters greatly in our mission to foster an informed and united society. Together, let’s strive to make India and Indians proud, upholding truth and unity. Jai Hind.
