Image of BJP leader and his son shared falsely as accused of Manipur viral video

The image does not show the accused of the Manipur viral video incident where two naked women from the Kuki community were paraded by angry mob.

On 19 July 2023, a video surfaced on social media showing two Kuki women stripped naked and groped by a violent mob. This video angered social media users questioning the law and order and safety of women in India. This incident originally took place on 4 May 2023, just a day after violent clashes broke out in Manipur between Kuki and Meitei communities.

Amidst this, an image showing two men dressed in RSS uniform is being circulated on social media with the claim that the image shows the accused of the Manipur viral video incident.

The caption of the viral image mentions, “They are the Manipur accused. Recognise them by their clothes.”

Facebook Post

Fact Check-

We started our investigation by running a Google reverse image search on the viral image, whose results led us to the Facebook profile of Chidananda Singh. The image was uploaded on 17 October 2022 with the caption, “Path Sanchalan, RSS Imphal Jila, yesterday 16 October with my son Ch Sachinanda n cousin Ashoka.” Chidananda Singh is the Manipur State Vice President for BJP.

Going through Chidananda Singh’s profile, we found that he has posted images of his formal complaint against the viral claims on social media. The complaint was addressed to the Director General of Police in Manipur. The complaint letter seeks legal actions against the users who have posted his and his son’s image accusing them to be the accused of the Manipur viral video incident. He has also posted the copy of the FIR.

The caption of the post mentions, “Thanks a lot to Manipur Police , like minded friends, fact checking media groups/ individuals for your kind support. A FIR has been registered against those who spreads false propaganda to defame RSS n my family. Truth will prevail”

Fact Crescendo contacted Chidananda Singh, who confirmed to us that the viral claims are absolutely fake and the images are being shared to malign his image. The image shows him with this son that was taken last year in October in Imphal during RSS Path Sanchalan program. He also told us that he has posted the same clarification along with police complaint details on his social media handles as well.

Further, we found that the Manipur police also confirmed that a FIR has been filed against people sharing the viral image with the false viral claim.

*FIR registered for spreading false news:*
On 23.07.2023, Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS), Manipur received a report from a functionary of a political party that a picture of him and his son collaged with a screenshot of the viral video of two women paraded,

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— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 23, 2023

According to news report, two persons, including a juvenile, were apprehended by Manipur Police in connection with the May 4 parading of two women naked in Kangpokpi district of the state.

Conclusion-

Fact Crescendo found that the claim made along with the viral image is False. The image does not show the accused of the Manipur viral video incident where two naked women from the Kuki community were paraded by angry mob. The image shows Manipur’s BJP State Vice-President Chidananda Singh and his son. He has already filed a complaint against users who are sharing false information.