The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to reform the management of Waqf properties in India by including non-Muslim members in Waqf boards and enhancing government oversight. Supporters argue it will improve transparency and reduce corruption, while critics contend it may infringe upon Muslim rights and lead to the seizure of historic religious properties lacking formal documentation. The bill was passed by Parliament on April 4, 2025. There have been many protests across the country against the bill.
In the above context, a video is widely being shared on social media in which police are seen beating a Samajwadi Party leader.
The video is shared with a caption claiming that the video shows police beating protestors protesting the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. A social media user shared the video with a caption that reads, “Hail Akhilesh Bhaiyya! Take back the Waqf board bill, Akhilesh Bhaiyya will only agree after the bones of the protestors are broken.” (Translated from Hindi)
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral video is from 2020, when SP leader Yameen Khan was protesting against the contentious farm laws.
On a Google reverse image search, we found the same video on YouTube, uploaded on December 10, 2020. The video was shared with a caption suggesting that SP worker Yameen Khan was shouting Akhilesh Zindabad despite being beaten by police.
Taking a hint, we searched with relevant keywords and found that the same incident was reported by Navbharat Times on December 9, 2020. The report suggested that on December 7, 2020, during protests against the agricultural laws, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former minister Mohammad Yameen Khan was injured in a confrontation with police.
SP national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was en route to Kannauj to demonstrate against the laws but was detained by police in the capital. Following his detention, SP workers started protesting at various locations. In one such protest, Yameen Khan ran towards a police van shouting slogans when officers surrounded and struck him with batons, including blows to his head, causing him to bleed. Despite losing consciousness, the officers continued their assault. Fortunately, Khan did not sustain severe injuries and regained consciousness shortly after. Upon his release, Akhilesh Yadav inquired about his condition. The report also embedded the viral video.
Hence, we can ascertain that the viral video is old and unrelated to the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
