Fact Check: Old Video Of Wrestler Khali Supporting Farmers’ Protest Going Viral
In its investigation, Vishvas News determined that the claims surrounding the viral video are misleading. The video featuring wrestler Khali is from the 2021 farmers’ movement and not recent.
- By: Pallavi Mishra
- Published: Feb 23, 2024 at 03:27 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News) Many false messages are circulating on social media regarding the ongoing farmers’ protest on the Punjab-Haryana border. Among these, a video is currently gaining traction, purportedly showing renowned WWE wrestler Khali extending support to the farmers. The accompanying claims suggest that this video is related to the current farmers’ protest.
Vishvas News investigated the viral post. Our findings reveal that the claims surrounding the viral video are misleading. The video in question dates back to the 2021 farmers’ protest.
What’s Going Viral?
Facebook page Aam Aadmi Party, while sharing the viral video on February 17, 2024, wrote in the caption, “WWE wrestler Khali also openly supported the farmers and said that Modi ji has this fear from Punjabis and Jats. #Farmers are not going to run away from taxes.” 2024 Kisan Andolan tags have also been used in the post.
Investigation:
To ascertain the truth behind the viral video, Vishvas News initiated a search using screenshots from the video on Google reverse image search. Our investigation led us to discover that this video had been uploaded by numerous Facebook users in 2021. We also found this video uploaded on various YouTube channels during the same period.
Upon closer examination of the clearer version of the clip available on YouTube, it became apparent that the microphone in front of Khali bore the inscription “Punjabi News Portal Rozana Spokesman.” Subsequent keyword searches led us to locate the full video uploaded on Rozana Spokesman’s YouTube channel on July 21, 2021. In this video, Khali extensively discussed the farmers’ movement in 2021.
Seeking further clarification, we reached out to Avinash Mishra, a journalist from Dainik Jagran Ludhiana who covers the farmers’ movement. Mishra confirmed that the video in question is not recent but from 2021.
Finally, we scrutinized the account of the user who shared the photo with the false claim. Our investigation revealed that the Facebook group “Aam Aadmi Party” boasts over 3 lakh members.
Conclusion: In its investigation, Vishvas News determined that the claims surrounding the viral video are misleading. The video featuring wrestler Khali is from the 2021 farmers’ movement and not recent.
- Claim Review : WWE wrestler Khali also openly supported the farmers and said that Modi ji has this fear from Punjabis and Jats
- Claimed By : Facebook page Aam Aadmi Party, while sharing the viral video on February 17, 2024, wrote in the caption,
- Fact Check : Misleading
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