A few days ago, a distressing video of a deceased woman’s body circulated on social media, accompanied by claims that a tribal woman had been brutally raped and murdered in Barmer, Rajasthan. This video gained significant attention, with social media influencers and political figures, particularly those associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sharing it widely. Notably, BJP’s social media in-charge, Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya), criticized the opposition for alleged double standards in addressing violence against women. Another prominent voice was that of advocate and former BJP Maharashtra unit’s secretary, Advocate Akhilesh Chaubey (@AkhileshChaubey), who mourned the supposed silence of the Chief Minister and the newly opposition alliance on this matter. Union Minister of Stat for Law & Justice and MP from Rajasthan’s Bikaner Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) expressed his deep concern, stating, “The incident in Sedwa tehsil of Barmer is heart-wrenching. The Gehlot government must address the escalating harassment of women under its rule.
Police Clarification Unveils the Truth
However, the Barmer Police (@Barmer_Police) quickly intervened to clarify the situation. Contrary to the viral claims, they confirmed that the woman’s demise was not a result of rape and murder, but rather a tragic case of suicide. According to their statement, both the woman and her alleged lover had ascended a tree with the intent to hang themselves. Tragically, only the woman’s attempt proved fatal, while the young man survived the ordeal. Responding to a complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s husband, the police registered a case, conducted a thorough post-mortem examination, and subsequently handed over the body to the family. The man accused of being the woman’s lover was taken into custody, adding a different dimension to the situation.
The incident, upon closer examination, reveals a complex and deeply tragic sequence of events. It appears that the woman and her alleged lover were driven to desperation, leading them to take a drastic step. Both chose to hang themselves from a tree, but fate dealt them a disparate hand, with only the woman losing her life. This unfortunate incident was initially misconstrued and sensationalized, resulting in the widespread dissemination of false information.
Intent and Conclusion
The dissemination of this misleading video by BJP affiliates indicates a calculated intent to shape a particular political narrative within Rajasthan. It is important to note that the state is presently governed by the Congress party, led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. While Rajasthan indeed faces genuine challenges in safeguarding women’s security and particularly rape and honour killings, the propagation of fabricated videos for political gains only serves to obstruct the path to truth and justice. In conclusion, the unfortunate incident in Barmer was exploited to further political agendas through the dissemination of misinformation. 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.
Claim: Misleading videos circulated by BJP affiliates alleged the rape and murder of a tribal woman in Barmer, Rajasthan.
Fact: The Barmer Police investigation revealed the woman’s death was a tragic suicide; she and her alleged lover attempted joint self-harm, resulting in her unfortunate demise and his survival.
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.
