A video has gone viral showing president Draupadi Murmu felicitating a youth at a public event. In an announcement in the video, the man is introduced as Abhay Singh being awarded the Arjuna Award for his contribution to Indian sports.
The announcement says, “One of the best squash players in India. In 2023, in the 19th Asian Games, he won a gold medal and bronze medals in various games. He also got a bronze medal in the world championship in 2023. Seeing his outperformance in squash in 2023, he has been awarded Arjuna Puruskar in 2024.” The video was layered with an image of Abhay Singh, the IIT-an who rose to fame after some media persons found him at the Maha Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj living the life of a saint. Abhay Singh is popularly known as ‘IITian Baba.’
The video was shared on Facebook with the caption, “People die to live such a life and Abhay Singh gave up everything. Blessed is such a soul.” (Translated from Hindi)
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. Arjuna Award winner Abhay Singh and ‘IITian Baba’ Abhay Singh are different people.
On searching with relevant keywords, we found that the website World Squash published the report on January 17, 2025. The report suggested that 26-year-old Abhay Singh was presented the Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honour, for services to squash in India.
We compared the images of Arjuna award winner Abhay Singh with the IITian Baba and found no similarities in the facial features. For instance, the nose of IITian Baba is a bit bulgy compared to the one present in the image. Similarly, the forehead of IITian Baba is broader when compared to the man present in the video.
We also found a list of those who were conferred with Arjuna awards and found Abhay Singh mentioned on the list. The list stated that 32 people won the Arjuna Award and Abhay Singh got the award for playing squash.
We also found the video of the awards ceremony on the YouTube channel of president Draupadi Murmu livestreamed on January 17, 2025. At the 44:54-minute mark, Abhay Singh can be seen taking the award from the president.
However, we also found many reports (here and here) of IITian Baba spotted at the ensuing Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15 proving he is different from the sportsperson.
Therefore, we conclude that the viral claim is false. The Arjuna Award winner Abhay Singh and IITian Baba Abhay Singh are different persons.