Fact Check: Video showing two groups in altercation does not have a communal angle
Amidst the political unrest in Bangladesh, there has been a rise in the violence against Hindu minorities. Hindus
Amidst the political unrest in Bangladesh, there has been a rise in the violence against Hindu minorities. Hindus and other minorities faced persecution and displacement. After the unrest in Bangladesh started, several videos and images of violence have been in circulation with false claims.
One such video is making rounds on social media showing altercation among few people with the claim that 400-500 Muslims surrounded 10-15 dalit Hindu families molesting women and warning them to leave or face similar persecution as in Bangladesh. The post claims that this incident occurred in Navsari, Gujarat. In the video, we can see some people fighting arguing with each other, and then some women talking about the problems in Gujarati language.
Here is the Archive link of the claim.
Fact Check:
The claim is False. There is no communal angle in the dispute seen in the video. When we searched using the keywords “Navsari dispute”, we found several news articles stating that a parking dispute between two families escalated leading to a confrontation between two groups.
According to Deshgujarat, a parking dispute between two families led to a confrontation between two groups. Stone pelting also happened injuring one woman. An FIR has been filed against more than 200 people involved in the clash. Range IG Premveer Singh stated that the parking dispute in the apartments near Dargah Road, Navsari escalated into a group clash.
Superintendent of Police, Navsari shared a statement on X account appealing the public not to share rumours. The statement states “A public appeal is made to the public of Navsari district from the district police that on 07/12/2024 a video of Dargah Road area of Navsari city has gone viral on social media, accordingly an appropriate FIR has been registered by the police so that any Don't take false rumors viral, video viral messages seriously, peace is prevailing in the district now so don't take any rumors and any false videos seriously. If viral or forwarded, legal action will be taken against them.
Navsari Police has formed separate teams on all social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and is keeping a constant watch on the anti-social activities. After registering a proper FIR in this regard, the accused has been arrested and necessary legal action has been taken by the police.”
In this incident, the police registered a case of atrocity against a Muslim youth and a woman and arrested them within a few hours. CCTVs of the surrounding areas were scanned. In addition, action was taken to register an FIR against the crowd of about 300 people who raised slogans. Following this incident, the police made tight security arrangements and conducted patrolling.
Therefore, the viral video does not show communal violence against Hindu Dalits in Navsari, Gujarat. A parking dispute between two groups escalated and led to stone pelting. The claim is False.