New Delhi: A video and set of old images of a turbaned man painting Hindi signboards black is going viral with a claim that it is from Punjab where protesters are opposing Hindi language in the backdrop of farmers’ agitation.
The signboard reads “NORTH ZONE CULTURAL CENTRE” written in English and Punjabi too. In the video, a man is seen putting black paint on the Hindi text only.
These photos and video have been shared with there captions:
Hindi claim which translates to ‘After damaging Reliance Jio towers, there next target is to put an end to Hindi. Are they farmers? They want obstruction not solution…they want agitation not peace…they want destruction not development…they want a free hand not freedom…they want roadblocks not roads. #FakeFarmersProtest’.
“The true face is finally being revealed. After damaging towers, use of Hindi will not be allowed in Punjab. Farmers’ movement is an excuse; the real motive is to oppose Hindi and Hindus. Is this the reality of farmers’ protests? This is the Khalistani movement; terrorists and their sympathisers disguised as farmers. Their agenda is to spread anarchy, topple the Modi government and trouble the common people.”
The video has been shared widely on Facebook and Twitter.
Fact check:
We did a reverse image search on the viral pictures and photos and we found out the claim to be false. The video is at least two years old and is making rounds on the internet. These images have nothing to do with the ongoing farmer’s protest.
According to a report published in Hindustan Times on October 25, 2017, protests were taken up by some organisations in Punjab ‘over relegating Punjabi to number three on signboards, behind Hindi and English.
Conclusion:
The video was shot at least two years ago at North Zone Cultural Centre in Punjab’s Patiala during a campaign against ‘Hindi imposition’. Therefore this claim turnout to be false.
