Debunked: Viral video falsely ties Uttar Pradesh protest to West Bengal election chaos
A video shared widely on social media claims to depict West Bengal Police attacking Muslims for chanting 'Bangladesh Zindabad' after the 2026 Assembly elections. However, fact-checks reveal the footage is unrelated to the recent polls or the state. The clip has instead reignited confusion amid ongoing reports of post-election violence in West Bengal.
Several districts in the state have seen clashes between BJP and TMC supporters, resulting in deaths, injuries, and widespread destruction.
The viral video actually dates back to 26 September 2025, when protests linked to the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign turned violent in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Police used batons and force to disperse a stone-pelting crowd near Aala Hazrat Masjid in Bhoor. A reverse image search and geolocation analysis confirm the footage’s origin in Bareilly, far from West Bengal.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, tensions have flared following the election results. Clashes between rival political factions have led to arson, vandalism, and casualties. Authorities have struggled to contain the unrest, with some areas witnessing heavy police intervention. The misleading video’s resurfacing has added to the confusion, as its false connection to West Bengal overshadows the actual incidents unfolding there. Police in Bareilly had previously faced similar unrest during the 2025 protests, where lathi-charges were deployed to restore order amid escalating violence.
The disputed video predates the 2026 West Bengal elections by months and stems from a separate event in Uttar Pradesh. Fact-checkers have debunked its link to the state’s current turmoil. In West Bengal, however, the post-poll violence continues, with authorities working to address the fallout from the clashes between supporters of rival parties.
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