On social media, a video of children packed in a truck in Maharashtra has gone viral. While sharing the video users claim that “A truck carrying Rohingya Muslims was caught in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Mamata Banerjee is bringing them from Bangladesh and filling the entire country. When will we Hindus wake up? The country is in great danger. Be careful Hindu brothers”.
Moreover, several users shared this video and made similar claims. The link can be seen here, here and here
Fact Check
During the investigation, DFRAC found that the claim was false. We found multiple media reports regarding this video. According to ‘Tv9’ report published on 18 May, 2023 “Kolhapur: There has been a stir in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur after 63 children were found stuffed inside a truck. All these children were brought from the border of Bihar and West Bengal. The Aadhar cards and identity cards of these children have been recovered. During interrogation and investigation, it was found that they study in a nearby madrasa. They had gone to their respective villages during the summer vacation. From there, they reached the railway station by train. After this, they were being taken away by loading them in a truck”. (English Translation)
Furthermore, we also found a report from ‘IndiaTv’ published on 18 May, 2023 stated “The incident of finding 63 innocent children in a truck in Kolhapur, Maharashtra has created a sensation. According to the information, 63 small children were seated in a truck in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. This incident happened on Wednesday (17 May) at 2 pm. All these children are aged 8-12 years, who reached Kolhapur via train from Bihar and West Bengal”. (English Translation)
Conclusion
It is evident from the DFRAC’s fact check that the viral video is from 2023 when the police found 63 children inside a truck in Kohlapur. The children who studied in a Kohlapur Madrasa were from Bihar and West Bengal. The children had gone to their villages during summer vacation and were returning to Kohlapur when they were travelling by a truck. Therefore, the claim of social media users is misleading.
