On April 12, the Murshidabad District in West Bengal experienced violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The unrest led to three deaths, over 10 injuries and the arrest of more than 200 individuals. Protesters blocked highways, set police vehicles ablaze and attacked a local MP’s office. In response, authorities deployed Central forces and suspended internet services to restore order.
In the above context, a post containing a collage of nine images, each showcasing gory pictures of communal violence, is being widely shared on social media. The image is shared with a caption insinuating that communal violence happens in West Bengal during every Hindu religious festival.
A social media user shared the collage with a caption that reads, “Doesn’t matter the festival — they just need an excuse to burn it all down.”
Image 1: The first image shows a Muslim man standing in front of a burning vehicle.
Claim: The image is shared with a caption claiming that it is of ruckus during Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Fact: On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same image was published in a Business Standard report, dated December 14, 2019, with a caption that reads, "A protestor against the passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) at Santragachi in Howrah district of West Bengal | PTI”
The report stated violent protests erupted across West Bengal over the Citizenship Amendment Act. Demonstrators torched buses, vandalised vehicles and disrupted train services, leading to widespread unrest and cancellations.
Image 2: The viral image shows a mob burning vehicles.
Claim: The image is shared with a caption claiming that the viral image is of violonce during Saraswati Puja.
Fact: On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same image was shared by Times Now News on December 23, 3019. The report stated that violence broke out during anti-CAA protests in Lucknow on December 19, 2019, killing one and leaving many injured. The report stated that the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Popular Front of India (PFI) state head Wasim Ahmad and two aides for allegedly orchestrating violence during anti-CAA protests in Lucknow. Authorities claimed the trio incited unrest through social media and distributed provocative materials.
Image 3: The image shows burning vehicles.
Claim: The image is of vehicles burning during Ram Navami festival in West Bengal.
We found that image 3 shows violence that happened in Ram Navami in 2023 in West Bengal, in line with what the claim stated. The image was shared by NDTV on March 31, 2023. The image was shared with a caption that read, “Violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah.” The report stated that violence erupted in Howrah’s Shibpur area during Ram Navami celebrations, leading to arson and clashes. The West Bengal government assigned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led by Inspector General Sunil Choudhury, to investigate the incidents. Despite a significant police presence, fresh unrest occurred the following day, prompting calls for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe from opposition leaders.
Fact: We found that image 3 shows violence that happened in Ram Navami in 2023 in West Bengal, in line with what the claim stated. The image was shared by NDTV on March 31, 2023. The image was shared with a caption that read, “Violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah.” The report stated that violence erupted in Howrah’s Shibpur area during Ram Navami celebrations, leading to arson and clashes. The West Bengal government assigned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led by Inspector General Sunil Choudhury, to investigate the incidents. Despite a significant police presence, fresh unrest occurred the following day, prompting calls for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe from opposition leaders.
Image 4: It shows a man standing beside a burning vehicle.
Claim: The viral image shows violence that occurred during Holi.
Fact: The image was published by The Indian Express on December 31, 2019. The caption stated that the image is of anti-CAA protesters in Lucknow.Image shows people carrying corpse amid chaos.
Image 5: It shows people carrying an injured man amid chaos.
Claim: The viral image shows communal violence during Diwali.
Fact: The image was published by The Hindu on December 20, 2019. The article stated that after the police firing during anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru, which resulted in two deaths, Kerala authorities heightened security in northern districts like Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kasaragod and Kannur to prevent potential unrest.
Image 6: The image shows mob standing near burning vehicle.
Claim: The viral image shows violence Durga Puja celebrations.
Fact: The image was shared by The Indian Express on January 15, 2020, with a caption that reads, “Violence erupts at Kona Expressway in connection with anti-CAA at Howrah, West Bengal on December 14, 2019.”
Image 7: The image shows mob pelting stone.
Claim: The viral image was shot during violence that occurred during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.
Fact: On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same image was uploaded by Mangalore Today on December 28, 2019. The report stated that during anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru, police arrested 12 individuals for alleged involvement in violence, including stone-pelting and attacking a police station. Authorities are reviewing footage to identify over 100 suspects, and both CID and magisterial inquiries have been initiated.Claim: The viral image was shot during violence that occurred during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.
Image 8: The viral image shows mob pelting stone.
Claim: The viral image is of violence in Dassehra.
Fact: We found that the image was shared by The Indian Express on December 29, 2019. The image was shared with the caption, “Demonstrators throw stones towards police during a protest against a new citizenship law, in Mangaluru, December 19, 2019. (Reuters)” The report stated that the Trinamool Congress leaders visited Karnataka to provide Rs 5 lakh cheques to the families of two individuals killed during anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru, demonstrating solidarity and demanding justice for the victims.
Image 9: The viral image shows people burning tire.
Claim: The viral image is of violence during Sankranti
Fact: On doing a Google Reverse Image Search, we found that the same image was shared by India Today on December 16, 2019. The image was shared with a caption that reads, “After Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday night, the state erupted in uncontrolled protests, in which agitators engaged in pitch battle in almost every major city or town, forcing the administration to impose a curfew. (Photo: PTI).”
Hence, we can conclude that the viral claim is false.
