The farmers’ agitation of the country has covered a huge portion of the population and almost all the political parties have put forth their views regarding the matter. In a recently viral video a large group of men are seen wearing saffron scarves and holding saffron flags, and some standing on a bullock cart, is being shared on social media with the claim that Bajrang Dal members in Uttar Pradesh protested against the farm laws and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The claim along with which the aforementioned video is being shared, reads: “Bajrang Dal has come out to protest against the anti-farmer, farm legislations and is calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a thief. Even they know the truth now.”
After watching the video thoroughly, slogans were heard against the recent hike in fuel prices across India. According to the description of the video, it is shows protests against fuel price hike organised by Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangur in Hingoli district of Maharashtra. According to sources, the video was taken on 5th of February as people protested against the hike in prices of petrol and diesel after the Union Budget Session 2021-22. Shiv Sena organised similar protests across Maharashtra. MLA Santosh Bangar confirmed himself that the said video is from a protest organised by him against the fuel price hike by the central government. The rally, led by Shiv Sena MLA Santosh Bangar, began from the party office and marched via Indira Gandhi Chowk in Hingoli, adds the source. According to a report by “Outlook”, on February 5, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena held protests in several parts of Maharashtra against the Centre over fuel price hike.
Hence, it is clear that the viral image showing men with saffron flags is from a Shiv Sena protest in Maharashtra against rising prices of petrol, diesel and LPG. The image is not related to Bajrang Dal and farm laws.
