{"id":51983,"date":"2025-08-26T22:18:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T02:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/video-shows-crowd-gathered-for-bullock-cart-race-not-indian-opposition-leaders-rally\/26\/08\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T22:18:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T02:18:41","slug":"video-shows-crowd-gathered-for-bullock-cart-race-not-indian-opposition-leaders-rally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/video-shows-crowd-gathered-for-bullock-cart-race-not-indian-opposition-leaders-rally\/26\/08\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Video shows crowd gathered for bullock cart race, not Indian opposition leader&#8217;s rally"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">As eastern India&#8217;s Bihar gears up for elections later this year, politicians across party lines have begun canvassing in the state, but footage of a massive crowd does not show a rally in support of opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi as claimed in social media posts. The video was filmed weeks earlier at a bullock cart race in Maharashtra state.\u00a0 <\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Watch the charisma of Rahul Gandhi. If the media has courage, let them show it on TV,&#8221; reads a Hindi-language\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250826055002\/https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/637745569373706\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook post;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Facebook post<\/a> shared on August 19, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The post also shares a 25-second clip showing a large crowd gathered in an open ground with a text overlay that reads, &#8220;Rahul Gandhi has earned this. The public has come to see Rahul Gandhi.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot of the false Facebook post captured on August 20, 2025, with a red X added by AFP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The false claim surfaced after Gandhi <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20250826-india-s-election-commission-under-fire-from-opposition\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:launched;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">launched<\/a> a month-long &#8220;voter rights&#8221; rally in the key battleground state of Bihar on August 17 (<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250826055230\/https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20250826-india-s-election-commission-under-fire-from-opposition\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">His Congress party will challenge the state&#8217;s ruling coalition formed by the Janata Dal United party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/politics\/news\/when-are-bihar-elections-2025-expected-to-be-held-nitish-kumar-prashant-kishor-tejashwi-yadav-bjp-jdu-rjd-nda-india-bloc-11749113968322.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:election;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">election<\/a> expected later this year (<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/CRR8-VM2R\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The party also alleged the Election Commission of India (ECI) had embarked on a &#8220;mass disenfranchisement&#8221; exercise after it gave voters in the state just weeks to prove their citizenship, requiring documents that few possess in a registration revamp.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The ECI has called Gandhi&#8217;s accusation &#8220;false and misleading&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The clip circulated with similar claims on <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/75DM-B46M\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/mvau.lt\/media\/02995331-59fe-4640-acd8-328521ab0b85\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Instagram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/mvau.lt\/media\/a73873ae-d42c-4678-b50f-bf29a1ec1584\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:X;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">X<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/BNU2-2TM9\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Threads;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Some users appeared to believe the video shows a crowd of Gandhi supporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Thanks to the public of Bihar for their excellent support to Rahul Gandhi,&#8221; one user commented.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Another user wrote, &#8220;Hail Rahul Gandhi! He is the most popular leader today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But the clip actually shows spectators gathered for an annual bullock cart race held in Maharashtra in western India.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A Google <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=linGPlWGcDw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:reverse image search;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">reverse image search<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bHNimjTpxd8?si=-UzAi0HBHDCpVF8x\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:keyframes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">keyframes<\/a> from the falsely shared clip found a similar video on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DLbfxjITROb\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Instagram<\/a> shared on June 28, 2025 (<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/DZY6-NH4E\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Its Marathi-language caption reads, &#8220;Pedgaon Hind Kesari ground 2025. Heartbeat of Millions &#8212; Mathur 1001&#8221;, with a text overlay reading, &#8220;look how the white Mathur (bull) walks&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bailgadapremi.com\/profiles\/mathur-1001-binjod-king-389\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Mathur 1001;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Mathur 1001<\/a> is a cross-bred bull famous in the region for winning several races (<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/NR9X-B6FB\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Screenshot comparison of the clip shared in the false posts (L) and the Instagram video&lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"424\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/YJm9k.JsFo46C8U3Vg19Mw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQyNDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/668a81ce704b7d212656fd6554759c1f\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot comparison of the clip shared in the false posts (L) and the Instagram video<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Subsequent keyword searches found multiple videos of the race on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/JIQ_nl0-gEc?si=FsnsNptZobq7MXpH\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:YouTube;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">YouTube<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DLNb1AzNeen\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Instagram<\/a> shared in June 2025 (archived\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/6K27-5VHR\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/994W-E28Q\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Images of the <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/MF32gzzXyBSHNote9\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:venue;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">venue<\/a> on Google Maps also match the visuals in the false clip\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/5U2M-6GQG\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (L) and image on Google Maps, with matching features highlighted by AFP&lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"330\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/TdoA7GIiYz9Lmca1H0iCyA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTMzMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/347e707f304e6dca7a32463b4359c5a9\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (L) and image on Google Maps, with matching features highlighted by AFP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP has previously debunked other\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.66RH463\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:false claims;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">false claims<\/a> related to <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.333X8GY\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Rahul Gandhi;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Rahul Gandhi<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"269\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/vL0ofOON2dQ70glnArMbKw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI2OTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/b256612e7bd34f56924b55b67d8fbb44\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/video-shows-crowd-gathered-bullock-020605693.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As eastern India&rsquo;s Bihar gears up for elections later this year, politicians across party lines have begun canvassing in the state, but<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/video-shows-crowd-gathered-for-bullock-cart-race-not-indian-opposition-leaders-rally\/26\/08\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/cfcfbc8d2e148870ac71f13fabf5f5ad","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51983"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51983\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}