Fact Check: Video showing a temple makes a false claim that it is a Sita Rama Mandir in Kerala
Kerala recorded 70.35% polling in the single phase Lok Sabha elections covering all 20 constituencies on April 26, 2024. Kerala is one of the few states where Congress remains strong, as in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party won most of the seats while BJP-led NDA did not win any.
Claim :
Viral video shows Sita Rama Mandir in Wayanad, Kerala, registered in the name of Muslims four years ago by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka GandhiFact :
The video shows an old temple in ruins located in Ahmadpur Sial in Pakistan
Kerala recorded 70.35% polling in the single phase Lok Sabha elections covering all 20 constituencies on April 26, 2024. Kerala is one of the few states where Congress remains strong, as in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party won most of the seats while BJP-led NDA did not win any. Rahul Gandhi has contested 2024 elections from Wayanad, Kerala. He faces a tough battle from CPI’s Annie Raja and BJP’s K. Surendran.
A video showing a monumental building is in circulation on the social media with the claim that it shows Sri Sita Ram Temple in Wayanad, Kerala that has been registered in the name of Muslims four years back. The narration in the video which is in Hindi, says that ‘this is Sita Rama Mandir, on the premises of which there is a chicken shop and there are some Hindi letters on the mandir building.’
The claim in hindi goes: “केरल के वायनाड में राहुल गां
When translated, it claims: “In Wayanad, Kerala, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra took possession of Sri Sita Rama Mandir and registered it as that of Muslims four years ago. Now, the Congress Brahmins and Kshatriyas must be very happy. Everybody should vote for BJP only”
Fact Check:
The claim is False. The abandoned temple is from Pakistan and not Wayanad, Kerala.
When we searched the key frames extracted from the video, we found that several social media users have published this video in December 2023.
A Facebook page named Punjab Pulse also shared the video recently with the captions ‘Sita Rama Mandir becomes Chicken shop in Pakistan’
According to an article on Republic World, a video capturing the alleged conversion of the historic Sita ram Temple in Ahmadpur Sial, Pakistan into a chicken shop has ignited a storm on X. The alleged modification of the Sita Ram temple is seen as a violation of the right to freedom of religion and a blatant disregard for the cultural diversity to Pakistan’s identity.
Another article by asianetnews.com, shares the screenshots from the viral video and states that the Sita Ram temple in Ahmadpur Sial carried immense historical and cultural significance. Built over a century ago, the temple served as a place of worship for the Hindu community in the region. Its architecture, adorned with intricate carvings and sacred symbols, told the story of a rich cultural heritage that transcended religious boundaries.
Hence, the video showing a temple building in ruins and a chicken shop opened on its premises is not from Wayanad, Kerala but from Ahmadpur Sial, Pakistan. The claim is False.
