WebQoof Recap: Of Misinformation Around Nupur Sharma Row & More

Misinformation galore over the Nupur Sharma-Prophet Muhammad row to false claim by UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

From Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claiming that the unemployment rate under his regime has come down from a double-digit figure to 2.9 percent to misinformation galore surrounding the Nupur Sharma-Prophet Muhammad row, here's what misled the public this week.

1. Yogi's Claim of Unemployment Rate Reducing From 18% to 2.9% Is Misleading

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that the unemployment rate in the state had fallen from 18 percent to 2.9 percent under the BJP government's rule since 2017.

He was speaking at the Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow on Friday, 3 June.

However, the claim is misleading. When CM Adityanath took charge in 2017, the unemployment rate was 2.4 percent, according to the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE). The unemployment rate increased to as much as 21.5 percent in April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, data showed.

You can read our detailed 'Neta fact-check' here.

2. Old Video of Man Threatening Muslims With Guns Viral As Recent

A video showing a man brandishing guns and hurling abuses against Islam, while threatening to kill Muslims has gone viral on social media as a recent one.

The video is being shared in the backdrop of the Nupur Sharma-Prophet Muhammad controversy.

(Note: We have refrained from including any links to the video as it could be triggering for some users.)

We found that video was posted by a man, identified as Yogendra Singh Chauhan, and was shared in March 2020. He was arrested by the Thakurganj police in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow for his inflammatory remarks, news reports read.

You can read our fact-check here.

3. Protesters Burning National Flag in Pakistan Falsely Claimed As From India

Social media users are sharing a photo, showing a group of people burning an upside-down Indian national flag, with the claim that Muslims are burning the Indian flag in India.

The video was shared as violent protests raged in India over derogatory comments made by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the party's former Delhi media head Naveen Jindal, who was expelled from the party, against the Prophet.

However, this photo was taken in Lahore, Pakistan, where supporters of religious groups burned the Indian flag during a protest against Sharma on 9 June.

You can read our fact-check here.

4. No, This Video Doesn't Show Naga Sadhus Coming Out in Support of Nupur Sharma

A video showing Naga Sadhus rallying on the streets in large numbers, is being shared on social media.

The video claims to show that Sadhus, or the Hindu holy men, are extending their support to Nupur Sharma.

However, the claim is false. The video dates back to 2021 when Sadhus participated in Haridwar's Kumbh Mela.

Also, we could not find any news reports about Sadhus coming out to support Sharma for her remarks.

You can read our fact-check here.

5. Fact-Check: Old Video Passed Off As 'Indian Workers Being Sent Back From Qatar'

A video which shows a huge crowd standing near parked buses is being shared on social media with a claim that Gulf countries are sending back Indian migrant workers.

However, we found that the video could be traced back to March 2021, months before the Nupur Sharma controversy.

Further, we found the video on a YouTube channel and it showed workers' strike at the Redco International company in Qatar.

You can read our fact-check here.

(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9643651818, or e-mail it to us at [e-mail] and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)