Fact Check: Viral image of autos and drivers blocking roads is not from Bengaluru, it is an old one
Old image has been falsely shared in connection with the recent Bengaluru bandh
Soon after the transportation strike began in Bengaluru on September 11, an image of autorickshaws and drivers blocking roads went viral on social media. The drivers can be seen holding red flags in the picture. Netizens claim the image was taken during the strike launched by private transport firms.
The picture was shared online with the caption, "Picture of the day: Transport strike in Bengaluru, men with red ఫ్లాగ్స్".(archive)
The strike was held in Bengaluru after the government failed to fulfil the transport unions’ demands.
FACT CHECK:
We found that the picture is old and unrelated to the Bengaluru bandh.
A reverse image search led to finding the same image in a 2014 article. The picture was taken in January 2014 when Karnataka faced protests by the Auto-Rickshaw Driver Association against hike of auto fuel price.
The 24-hour strike announced by the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations was withdrawn at noon on the same day after Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy assured them that action would be taken regarding their demands. (Read more here)
Evidently, an old image has been falsely shared in connection with the recent Bengaluru bandh.