Fact-Check Reveals Edited Video of Yogi Adityanath's 'Mangalsutra' Remark

A viral video circulating on social media platforms has been found to be edited, according to a fact-check conducted by AAJ Tak and India Today Facts. The misleading video, shared by a user named Shyam Gupta RPSU, claimed to show Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the 'mangalsutra' of widows of soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack. However, the fact-check revealed that the video created a false narrative by taking Adityanath's original statement out of context.

Why this matters: The spread of misinformation and fake news can have significant consequences on public opinion and the electoral process, particularly during critical events like the 2024 Indian general elections. The spread of misinformation and fake news can have significant consequences on public opinion and the electoral process, particularly during critical events like the 2024 Indian general elections. It is crucial for media outlets, fact-checkers, and the public to remain vigilant and counter attempts to manipulate the narrative to ensure a fair and informed democratic process.

The original video, uploaded on ANI's YouTube channel, showed Yogi Adityanath speaking at a public meeting in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. At the 13-minute 32-second mark, Adityanath begins discussing the 'mangalsutra' issue and then poses a question about a statement made by Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav. The edited video clip shared on social media platforms cut and pasted different portions of Adityanath's speech to make a false claim.

In the viral video, Adityanath is heard saying, "A Samajwadi party leader has made a statement asking PM Modi what has happened to the 'Mangalsutra' of widows of those soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama. I want to ask...what has happened to the 'Mangalsutra' of wives of kar sevaks?" However, this quote was taken out of context and presented in a misleading manner.

BOOM conducted a fact-check using digital forensics and the deepfake detection tool Itisaar developed by IIT Jodhpur. The analysis confirmed that the viral video was altered, with several jump cuts identified, indicating that different portions of Adityanath's speech were spliced together. A reverse image search led to the original, unedited video uploaded by ANI on April 25, 2024.

With the 2024 Indian general elections approaching, concerns about misinformation and fake news are growing. Political parties and their supporters may resort to spreading misleading content to influence public opinion and gain an advantage in the electoral race. Media outlets, fact-checkers, and the public must remain vigilant and counter attempts to manipulate the narrative.

The 'mangalsutra' remark controversy highlights the sensitive nature of political discourse in India, where statements by prominent figures can quickly become a subject of national debate. It also highlights the need for responsible and accurate reporting by media organizations to prevent the spread of false information and maintain public trust.

Key Takeaways

• Viral video of Yogi Adityanath questioning PM Modi is edited and misleading.
• Original video showed Adityanath discussing 'mangalsutra' issue, not questioning PM Modi.
• Fact-checkers used digital forensics and deepfake detection tool to identify alterations.
• Misinformation can significantly impact public opinion and electoral process.
• Media outlets, fact-checkers, and public must remain vigilant to counter misinformation.