BJP Bengal Uses Pic From California to Say TMC Vandalised Homes

Team Webqoof

January 20, 2021 at 11:49 p.m.·2 min read

The West Bengal unit of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) shared an infographic on the vandalisation of homes of BJP leaders and activists, in which Minakhan police reportedly arrested four people. The party blamed Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the incident.

However, the image showing a house put on fire that is used in the infograph is neither recent nor from West Bengal. The image is actually from California and dates back to May 2014.

CLAIM

The official handle of BJP Bengal wrote in Bangla, “How much more will the Pishi oppress the opponents? And how many people will be victims of political violence in your kingdom? Answer Pishi.”

According to Anandabazar Patrika, house of BJP minority leader Noor Islam Ghazi was also looted and set on fire on 13 January.

You can view the archived version <a href="https://archive.is/6lu6T" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here.</a> — You can view the archived version here.

Also Read: AIMIM Leader’s Murder in Hyderabad Shared as Incident in Delhi

The text in the infograph alleges that Trinamool “goons” were behind the attack. The infograph uses a cut-out of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a house put on fire.

The same infograph was shared on BJP West Bengal’s Facebook page and tweeted by BJP Birbhum.

You can view the archived version <a href="https://archive.is/VaW3C" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here.</a> — You can view the archived version here.

The infograph was widely shared on Facebook.

WHAT WE FOUND OUT

We performed a reverse search on the image used in the infograph and found a BBC report from 2014 that carried the same image and mentioned that it is from California wildfires. The article attributed the image to Getty Images.

We then searched on Getty Images and found that the viral image was captured in May 2014.

The description along with the image reads: “A house is consumed by a wildfire on May 14, 2014 in San Marcos, California. About 500 acres have burned in the San Marcos blaze, fueled by record heat, high winds and dry conditions. At least four other fires advanced in nearby communities.”

Evidently, a seven-year-old photo from California was shared by BJP handles and was falsely linked to West Bengal.

Also Read: Old Christmas Revelry Video Falsely Linked to Farmers’ R-Day Rally

(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 webqoof@thequint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)

The Canadian Press
Ben Yedder scores two as Monaco beats Clermont 4-1 to move closer to Champions League
PARIS (AP) — Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice to approach 100 league goals for Monaco as the Principality side beat rock-bottom Clermont 4-1 and moved closer to securing Champions League qualification on Saturday. Ben Yedder's second-half brace took him onto 15 league goals this season and made it seven in five career games against Clermont. It followed his two goals last weekend against Lyon, and took the 33-year-old sharpshooter onto 97 league goals since joining five years ago. He also had a su
The Telegraph
Nottingham Forest’s frenzied season of referee fury looks like having a happy ending
After an excruciating season, seemingly defined by anger over referees and VAR, plus a points deduction, Nottingham Forest are finally in sight of Premier League survival.
Associated Press
Logan Sargeant is the only American driver in F1. His seat is in jeopardy as he heads into home race
The only American driver in Formula One had a somewhat decent showing in the Saturday sprint race ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. It's just not clear how long Logan Sargeant can stake claim to his seat with Williams as the Floridian heads into his home race Sunday under tremendous pressure to deliver or lose his job. The sprint race was won by three-time reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen, who is undefeated on the Miami circuit since its 2022 debut.
The Telegraph
Daniel left for school then he was gone, says family of 14-year-old sword attack victim
The family of teenager Daniel Anjorin have spoken of their devastation at his death in a sword attack in north-east London.
Associated Press
A look at commencement ceremonies as US campuses are roiled by protests over the Israel-Hamas war
Commencement ceremonies are being held at colleges and universities across the U.S. As many campuses have been roiled by protests over the Israel-Hamas war, some school administrations have taken steps to contain disruptions during their commencement activities. University of Michigan's commencement was held early Saturday with a few interruptions. Ahead of the ceremony, the school had said staff and security officers were ready to respond and that interfering with commencement would not be considered free speech.
PA Media: Sport
Chris Wilder hints that Forest’s recent run-in with VAR played part in decision
The Sheffield United boss felt Ben Brereton Diaz was fouled in the build-up to Ryan Yates’ crucial second goal in Forest’s 3-1 win.
Associated Press
Small anti-war protest ruffles University of Michigan graduation ceremony
Protesters chanted anti-war messages and waved Palestinian flags during the University of Michigan's commencement Saturday, as student demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war collided with the annual pomp-and-circumstance of graduation ceremonies. No arrests were reported and the protest — comprised of about 50 people, many wearing traditional Arabic kaffiyeh along with their graduation caps — didn’t seriously interrupt the nearly two-hour event at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, which was attended by tens of thousands of people. One protest banner read: “No universities left in Gaza.”
The Canadian Press
Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with Leafs' season again on the line
BOSTON — Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday. The Maple Leafs centre snapped the puck around, took part in drills and seemed to be moving well at Toronto's morning skate. Whether or not Matthews returns to the action with his club's season once again on the line remains to be seen. The ailing sniper hasn't been ruled out for Game 7 of the Leafs' first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, but head coach Sheldon Keefe seemed to suggest his best player isn't q
USA TODAY
'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill visits White House. He leaves with a pair of Biden sunglasses
The actor has been posting on social media in support of Biden's re-election campaign this week. He rolled out a nickname for the president: Joe-bi-Wan-Kenobi
The Telegraph
Lib Dem councillors outnumber Tories for first time in 18 years
The Liberal Democrats have won more council seats than the Conservatives for the first time since 1996.
The Daily Beast
Francis Ford Coppola Heartbreakingly Dedicates ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer to Late Wife
Instagram/Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppola has unveiled the first teaser for his upcoming sci-fi film Megalopolis, dedicating the release to his late wife Eleanor.In a post made to Instagram, Coppola celebrated his wife’s birthday while introducing the world of Megalopolis. Eleanor was a documentary filmmaker and mother to Sofia, Roman, and Gian-Carlo, and passed away this year on April 12 at the age of 87.“Megalopolis has always been a film dedicated to my dear wife Eleanor,” Coppola wr
Yahoo Sports
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws off a mound for first time since spring training shutdown
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole took a step closer to returning from elbow inflammation. He threw off a mound for the first time since being shut down during spring training.
The Canadian Press
Boeing locks out its private firefighters around Seattle over pay dispute
Boeing has locked out its private force of firefighters who protect its aircraft-manufacturing plants in the Seattle area and brought in replacements after the latest round of negotiations with the firefighters' union failed to deliver an agreement on wages. The company said Saturday that it locked out about 125 firefighters and a facility about 170 miles (275 kilometers) away in central Washington. The firefighters serve as first responders to fires and medical emergencies and can call in help
The Telegraph
The Tories must change course, or be wiped out
Let me cut to the chase so no one wastes time overanalysing this: we must not change our leader. Changing leader now won’t work: the time to do so came and went. The hole to dig us out is the PM’s, and it’s time for him to start shovelling.
Evening Standard
Premier League top scorers 2023-24: Hat-trick hero Erling Haaland leads Alexander Isak and Cole Palmer
Man City star takes commanding lead
The Independent
Manchester City vs Wolves LIVE: Premier League latest score and updates after Erling Haaland hat-trick
Follow all the live action from the Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium
The Telegraph
Freddie Clarke’s ‘big man try’ helps Gloucester into Challenge Cup final after beating Benetton
Gloucester stormed past Benetton into the final of the Challenge Cup thanks to the verve of Zach Mercer, the control of their half backs and a lung-busting intercept try from second row Freddie Clarke.
The Telegraph
Victorious Green Party councillor shouts ‘Allahu Akbar!’
A Green Party candidate shouted “Allahu Akbar!” after being elected to Leeds city council, while his supporters unfurled a Palestinian flag behind him.
Elle
Kendall Jenner Wears Checkered Keyhole Dress to F1 Sprint in Miami
Kendall Jenner attended the Sprint Qualifying prior to the F1 Grand Prix in Miami, walking in the Pitlane wearing all Tommy Hilfiger.
Canadian Press Videos
Labour’s Sadiq Khan wins third term as London mayor
Khan won a little over a million votes, or nearly 44% of the vote, more than 11 percentage points ahead of his main challenger, the Conservative Party’s Susan Hall. He did particularly well in inner London but struggled in several outer boroughs. He used his victory speech to call for a general election, saying that "it's time for (UK Prime Minister) Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice".

Latest Stories