A video is going viral on the internet in which some people are throwing tomatoes out of a vehicle. Sharing the video social media users are claiming that, Sunni extremist farmers in the Pakistani city Kalat, are destroying the tomatoes imported from Shia majority country Iran.
Meanwhile, social media user S Malik shared this video with the Urdu caption that can be nearly translated into English, “Infidel tomatoes of Shia country will not be eaten in Pakistan. The curse of sectarianism is that it will not end, may Allah have mercy on this nation.”
Similarly, many other users have shared this video with similar claims.
Media house FirstPost has also covered this incident in a report with the title, “Shia tomatoes! Pakistani ‘Sunni’ farmers destroy tomatoes from ‘Shia’ Iran that came as aid.”
Fact Check
On a simple keyword search, the DFRAC team found a tweet from Pakistani journalist Murtaza Solangi. Along with the video he wrote, “This video went viral since yesterday alluding a sectarian angle when farmers/traders of Mangochar, Qalat, 120 km South West of Quetta destroyed tomatoes and other vegetables coming from Iran. The protesters said their crops were ready and govt should stop the import. #FactCheck.”
Moreover, we also find the viral clip on Youtube channel of Aaj TV official with the title, “Breaking | Balochistan farmers protest decision to import onions, tomatoes | Aaj News.”
According to the video, the farmers were destroying imported tomatoes from Iran as their crops are ready to be sold in the market and it will be a major loss for them if the imported tomatoes or onions will be sold in the market at low prices.
Conclusion
It is clear from the above Fact check that, this video is being shared in the wrong context. There is no sectarian angle in the incident.
