In recent times, social media has become a boon and a curse, a platform where people share their perspectives and where news spreads like wildfire. However, amidst all the noise on social media, fake news and misinformation are also rampant. One such incident was a video clip that went viral, showing people fighting and throwing stones at each other at Patna Railway Station.
Initially, the video was shared with the caption that it showed a clash between two religious communities. The video was shared extensively on social media, with many viewers expressing their anger and disgust at the spectacle. It did not take long for the video to be picked up by mainstream media outlets, who portrayed it as a confrontation between Hindus and Muslims.
However, the reality of the situation was very different from what was portrayed in the video. In fact, the clip was quite misleading and did not capture the full picture of the incident.
The incident occurred on June 22nd, 2021, at Platform No. 1 of the Patna Railway Station. The video clip showed two groups of people, one visibly angry and agitated, while the other was standing their ground. The scene appeared chaotic, with stones being hurled and people running helter-skelter.
When the news spread, the authorities were quick to respond, and a team of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel was deployed. On reaching the spot, it soon became evident to the RPF that the situation was not what it seemed.
The RPF immediately took control of the situation and started to identify the individuals involved in the altercation. They found that the groups involved were members of two different political parties, engaged in a conflict. It had nothing to do with religious animosity, as was initially proclaimed on social media.
As per the police reports, supporters of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party, a center-left political party in Bihar, were protesting the price hike of petrol and diesel by the central government. They were shouting slogans and carrying placards, trying to create awareness among the general public about the issue.
As a counter-protest, when members of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) party arrived, they started to disrupt the peaceful protest. They allegedly manhandled the protestors, tore down their placards, and physically pushed them around.
It was then that the situation escalated, and the RJD supporters threw stones at the BJP supporters, thus causing chaos at the railway station. The RPF personnel were able to defuse the situation and get the situation under control, without any major injuries or casualties.
An eyewitness, who was at the station during the incident, said that there was a commotion between two groups, but it wasn’t religiously motivated. According to him, the BJP supporters tried to disrupt the peaceful protest being carried out by the RJD supporters.
Such incidents are not uncommon in the Indian political landscape. Political parties, especially during the election season, often engage in such counter protests, where they try to disrupt the peaceful demonstrations of their opponents.
However, this time, the video was shared with misleading captions and was blown out of proportion. While there have been communal conflicts in Patna and other parts of Bihar, this particular incident was not one of them. It was merely a political fracas between two political groups.
Fake news and misinformation have become a significant problem on social media, and it is the responsibility of the viewers to fact-check the information they are consuming. While technology has brought people closer, it has also made it easier for people to spread rumors and fake news. In today’s world, it has become more critical than ever to verify the information we consume, especially on social media and other online platforms.
In conclusion, while the video of the incident at Patna railway station may have sparked outrage and anger initially but a closer look at the incident, it appears that the video did not capture the reality of the situation. It was, in fact, a political confrontation between two political groups and had nothing to do with religion or communal tensions. It is essential to always verify the information that we come across, especially online, to avoid jumping to any hasty conclusions.
