Created By: News Meter
Co-Published By: LokmatTimes.com
A video circulating on social media, showing security personnel in paramilitary uniform attempting to control a large crowd, has been shared with claims that it depicts chaos at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The video, which features people throwing slippers at the personnel, was accompanied by a post alleging that "nationalist and Sanatani" people were targeting the security forces. The post goes further to suggest that if Muslims had been involved, it would have been top news on government media channels. This article aims to fact-check the validity of this claim.
Upon investigation, NewsMeter has determined that these claims are false. The video does not show the Maha Kumbh Mela but rather an event in Patna on November 17, 2024. The footage is linked to the chaotic scene that unfolded during the trailer launch event for the movie Pushpa 2: The Rule.
A reverse image search revealed an extended version of the video uploaded on YouTube on January 3, 2025. The extended clip clearly identifies the same paramilitary personnel, including one person in a green-brown uniform climbing over a metal barricade. This footage also shows a red flag with a yellow handprint on it, which is a promotional flag for Pushpa 2. This flag was observed during the event and matches promotional materials for the film.
Further verification from NewsMeter’s keyword searches revealed a video posted by Hindustan Times’ official X handle on November 17, 2024, confirming that the event took place at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The video showed the same crowd and security efforts, as well as the red flags. The post mentioned that Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna were present at the trailer launch for Pushpa 2: The Rule, which attracted a massive crowd.
In conclusion, the viral video being circulated with claims of chaos at the Kumbh Mela is not related to the event in Prayagraj. It is actually from the trailer launch event of Pushpa 2 in Patna on November 17, 2024. The claim that this footage shows an incident at the Kumbh Mela is completely false.
This story was originally published by News Meter and republished by LokmatTimes.com as part of the Shakti Collective.