A video is being widely shared on social media showing a person running while firing a gun near a restaurant creating chaos among bystanders.
Those sharing the video claim that it shows people harassing people in Muslim localities during the festivities of Holi in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly.
An X user shared the video with a caption that reads, “Harassment in the name of Holi. Colour is being applied at gunpoint by entering a Muslim locality! The incident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, which is called Ram Raj. This is Modi’s policy, this is Modi’s guarantee, this is Ram Raj, this is the culture of Hindu nation!! (translated from Hindi)”
SouthCheck found the claim to be false; the viral video shows a clash between two groups of the same community.
On searching with appropriate keywords, we found a report published by Amar Ujala on March 24, 2024. The report shared the screenshot of the viral video.
The report said two gangs in Bareily’s Sailani Bazar clashed which also witnessed people firing guns into the air. The incident took place on March 23, 2024.
One of the boys snatched the money and started running after a heated debate and when the other boy tried to stop him, he tried to escape by firing into the air. This resulted in chaos on the street with many closing the shutters of the shops.
Another report by Amar Ujala revealed the names of those involved in the incident. It reported that the clash happened between people of the same community.
According to the report, a complaint was filed by Tausif Ali, a resident of Ejaznagar Gaunthiya. He was having food at the Abu Hotel near a custard apple tree in Sailani Market. At that moment, Chak Mahmood, Armaan, Shoaib, and their two companions barged in and started abusing him. When he protested, they began beating him. When people tried to intervene, Armaan pulled out a pistol and fired intending to kill. He managed to escape and saved his life.
We found that Bareily police also replied to one of the posts and denied any claim of communal clashes associated with the video.
Hence, we can ascertain that the viral claim is misleading.
