#FactCheck -2018 Baba Ramdev Video on Cheap Petrol Resurfaces Amid Fuel Price Hike, Shared Out of Context
Executive Summary
Amid rising petrol and diesel prices in India, an old video statement by Baba Ramdev is being widely shared on social media. In the viral clip, Ramdev can be heard saying that if the government permits him to open petrol pumps, he can provide petrol and diesel across the country at Rs 35-40 per litre. He is also heard suggesting that petrol and diesel should be brought under the lowest GST slab. However, CyberPeace Research Wing research found the viral claim to be misleading. The research revealed that Baba Ramdev made the statement during a private news channel event in 2018 and has not made any such recent remark.
Claim
A Facebook user named “Aman Singh Bathla” shared the old video of Baba Ramdev on May 26, 2026, and wrote:
“I can provide petrol and diesel to the entire country at Rs 35-40 if the Modi government allows me to open petrol pumps!”
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2215528532606679
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2215528532606679
- https://perma.cc/LA4L-3KCK
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we closely examined the viral video and noticed the logo of NDTV in the clip. Based on this clue, we searched NDTV’s official YouTube channel using relevant keywords and found the original video uploaded on September 16, 2018. In the full video, Baba Ramdev is seen making the viral statement during the NDTV Youth Conclave. During the discussion, the anchor had asked him a question regarding rising fuel prices, and Ramdev responded with the now-viral remarks in that context.
During further searches, we also found reports about the same statement on the website of Oneindia dated September 17, 2018. The report quoted Ramdev as saying that if the government allowed him to set up petrol pumps and offered some tax relief, he could provide fuel at Rs 35-40 per litre. He also suggested bringing petroleum products under GST, preferably in the 5 to 12 percent slab, to provide relief to consumers.
Our research confirmed that Baba Ramdev’s viral statement dates back to 2018 and has no connection with the recent rise in fuel prices.
Conclusion
The viral post was found to be misleading. Baba Ramdev made the statement in September 2018 during a private news channel event. His old remarks are now being circulated out of context to create confusion over the current fuel price situation.
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Introduction
Conversations surrounding the scourge of misinformation online typically focus on the risks to social order, political stability, economic safety and personal security. An oft-overlooked aspect of this phenomenon is the fact that it also takes a very real emotional and mental toll on people. Even as we grapple with the big picture questions about financial fraud or political rumors or inaccurate medical information online, we must also appreciate the fact that being exposed to misinformation and becoming aware of one’s own vulnerability are both significant sources of mental stress in today’s digital ecosystem.
Inaccurate information causes confusion and worry, which has negative consequences for mental health. Misinformation may also impair people's sense of well-being by undermining their trust in institutions, authority figures, and their own judgment. The constant bombardment of misinformation can lead to information overload, wherein people are unable to discriminate between legitimate sources and misleading content, resulting in mental exhaustion and a sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available. Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are more sensitive or susceptible to the negative effects of misinformation.
How Does Misinformation Endanger Mental Health?
Misinformation on social media platforms is a matter of public health because it has the potential to confuse people, lead to poor decision-making and result in cognitive dissonance, anxiety and unwanted behavioural changes.
Unconstrained misinformation can also lead to social disorder and the prevalence of negative emotions amongst larger numbers, ultimately causing a huge impact on society. Therefore, understanding the spread and diffusion characteristics of misinformation on Internet platforms is crucial.
The spread of misinformation can elicit different emotions of the public, and the emotions also change with the spread of misinformation. Factors such as user engagement, number of comments, and time of discussion all have an impact on the change of emotions in misinformation. Active users tend to make more comments, engage longer in discussions, and display more dominant negative emotions when triggered by misinformation. Understanding the evolution pattern of emotions triggered by misinformation is also important in view of the public’s emotional fluctuations under the influence of misinformation, and social media often magnifies the impact of emotions and makes emotions spread rapidly in social networks. For example, the sentiment of misinformation increases when there are sensitive topics such as political elections, viral trending topics, health-related information, communal and local information, information about natural disasters and more. Active misinformation on the Internet not only affects the public's psychology, mental health and behavior, but also has an impact on the stability of social order and the maintenance of social security.
Prebunking and Debunking To Build Mental Guards Against Misinformation
As the spread of misinformation and disinformation rises, so do the techniques aimed to tackle their spread. Prebunking or attitudinal inoculation is a technique for training individuals to recogniseand resist deceptive communications before they can take root. Prebunking is a psychological method for mitigating the effects of misinformation, strengthening resilience and creating cognitive defenses against future misinformation. Debunking provides individuals with accurate information to counter false claims and myths, correcting misconceptions and preventing the spread of misinformation. By presenting evidence-based refutations, debunking helps individuals distinguish fact from fiction.
What do health experts say about online misinformation?
“In the21st century, mental health is crucial due to the overwhelming amount of information available online. The COVID-19 pandemic-related misinformation was a prime example of this, with misinformation spreading online, leading to increased anxiety, panic buying, fear of leaving home, and mistrust in health measures. To protect our mental health, it is essential to cultivate a discerning mindset, question sources, and verify information before consumption. Fostering a supportive community that encourages open dialogue and fact-checking can help navigate the digital information landscape with confidence and emotional support. Prioritising self-care routines, mindfulness practices, and seeking professional guidance are also crucial for safeguarding mental health in the digital information era.”
In conversation with CyberPeace ~ Says Dubai-based psychologist, Aishwarya Menon, (BA,in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Westen Ontario, London and MA in Mental Health and Addictions (Humber College, University of Guelph),Toronto.
CyberPeace Policy Recommendations:
1) Countering misinformation is everyone's shared responsibility. To mitigate the negative effects of infodemics online, we must look at developing strong legal policies, creating and promoting awareness campaigns, relying on authenticated content on mass media, and increasing people's digital literacy.
2) Expert organisations actively verifying the information through various strategies including prebunking and debunking efforts are among those best placed to refute misinformation and direct users to evidence-based information sources. It is recommended that countermeasures for users on platforms be increased with evidence-based data or accurate information.
3) The role of social media platforms is crucial in the misinformation crisis, hence it is recommended that social media platforms actively counter the production of misinformation on their platforms. Local, national, and international efforts and additional research are required to implement the robust misinformation counterstrategies.
4) Netizens are advised or encouraged to follow official sources to check the reliability of any news or information. They must recognise the red flags by recognising the signs such as questionable facts, poorly written texts, surprising or upsetting news, fake social media accounts and fake websites designed to look like legitimate ones. Netizens are also encouraged to develop cognitive skills to discern fact and reality. Netizens are advised to approach information with a healthy dose of skepticism and curiosity.
Final Words:
It is crucial to protect mental health by escalating and disturbing the rise of misinformation incidents on various subjects, safeguarding our minds requires cognitive skills, building media literacy and verifying the information from trusted sources, prioritising mental health by self-care practices and staying connected with supportive authenticated networks. Promoting prebunking and debunking initiatives is necessary. Netizen scan protect themselves against the negative effects of misinformation and cultivate a resilient mindset in the digital information age.
References:
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/scn/2021/7999760/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8502082/
AI systems have grown in both popularity and complexity on which they operate. They are enhancing accessibility for all, including people with disabilities, by revolutionising sectors including healthcare, education, and public services. We are at the stage where AI-powered solutions that can help people with mental, physical, visual or hearing impairments perform everyday and complex tasks are being created.
Generative AI is now being used to amplify human capability. The development of tools for speech-to-text and image recognition is helping in facilitating communication and interaction for visually or hearing-impaired individuals, and smart prosthetics are providing tailored support. Unfortunately, even with these developments, PWDs have continued to face challenges. Therefore, it is important to balance innovation with ethical considerations aand ensuring that these technologies are designed with qualities like privacy, equity, and inclusivity in mind.
Access to Tech: the Barriers Faced by PWDs
PWDs face several barriers while accessing technology. Identifying these challenges is important as they lack computer accessibility, in the use of hardware and software, which has become a norm in life nowadays. Website functions that only work when users click with a mouse, self-service kiosks without accessibility features, touch screens without screen reader software or tactile keyboards, and out-of-order equipment, such as lifts, captioning mirrors and description headsets, are just some difficulties that they face in their day-to-day life.
While they are helpful, much of the current technology doesn’t fully address all disabilities. For example, many assistive devices focus on visual or mobility impairments, but they fall short of addressing cognitive or sensory conditions. In addition to this, these solutions often lack personalisation, making them less effective for individuals with diverse needs. AI has significant potential to bridge this gap. With adaptive systems like voice assistants, real-time translation, and personalised features, AI can create more inclusive solutions, improving access to both digital and physical spaces for everyone.
The Importance of Inclusive AI Design
Creating an Inclusive AI design is important. It ensures that PWDs are not excluded from technological advancements because of the impairments that they are suffering from. The concept of an ‘inclusive or universal’ design promotes creating products and services that are usable for the widest possible range of people. Tech Developers have an ethical responsibility to create advancements in AI that serve everyone. Accessibility features should be built into the core design. They should be treated as a practice rather than an afterthought. However, bias in AI development often stems from data of a non-representative nature, or assumptions can lead to systems that overlook or poorly serve PWDs. If AI algorithms are trained on limited or biased data, they risk excluding marginalised groups, making ethical, inclusive design a necessity for equity and accessibility.
Regulatory Efforts to Ensure Accessible AI
In India, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 impresses upon the need to provide PWDs with equal accessibility to technology. Subsequently, the DPDP Act of 2023 highlights data privacy concerns for the disabled under section 9 to process their data.
On the international level, the newly incorporated EU’s AI Act mandates measures for transparent, safe, and fair access to AI systems along with including measures that are related to accessibility.
In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 508 of the 1998 amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are the primary legislations that work on promoting digital accessibility in public services.
Challenges in implementing Regulations for AI Accessibility for PWDs
Defining the term ‘inclusive AI’ is a challenge. When working on implementing regulations and compliance for the accessibility of AI, if the primary work is left undefined, it makes the task of creating tools to address the issue an issue. The rapid pace of tech and AI development has more often outpaced legal frameworks in development. This leads to the creation of enforcement gaps. Countries like Canada and tech industry giants like Microsoft and Google are leading forces behind creating accessible AI innovations. Their regulatory frameworks focus on developing AI ethics with inclusivity and collaboration with disability rights groups.
India’s efforts in creating an inclusive AI include the redesign of the Sugamya Bharat app. The app had been created to assist PWDs and the elderly. It will now be incorporating AI features specifically to assist the intended users.
Though AI development has opportunities for inclusivity, unregulated development can be risky. Regulation plays a critical role in ensuring that AI-driven solutions prioritise inclusivity, fairness, and accessibility, harnessing AI’s potential to empower PWDs and contribute to a more inclusive society.
Conclusion
AI development can offer PWDs unprecedented independence and accessibility in leading their lives. The development of AI while keeping inclusivity and fairness in mind is needed to be prioritised. AI that is free from bias, combined with robust regulatory frameworks, together are essential in ensuring that AI serves equitably. Collaborations between tech developers, policymakers, and disability advocates need to be supported and promoted to build AI systems. This will in turn work towards bridging the accessibility gaps for PWDs. As AI continues to evolve, maintaining a steadfast commitment to inclusivity will be crucial in preventing marginalisation and advancing true technological progress for all.
References
- https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/over-1-4k-accessibility-related-complaints-filed-on-govt-app-75-solved-124090800118_1.html
- https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/06/16/empowering-individuals-with-disabilities-through-ai-technology/ .
- https://hbr.org/2023/08/designing-generative-ai-to-work-for-people-with-disabilities
- Thehttps://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2018/05/07/using-ai-to-empower-people-with-disabilities/andensur,personalization
Executive Summary
A video is being shared on social media claiming to show an avalanche in Kashmir. The caption of the post alleges that the incident occurred on February 6. Several users sharing the video are also urging people to avoid unnecessary travel to hilly regions. CyberPeace’s research found that the video being shared as footage of a Kashmir avalanche is not real. The research revealed that the viral video is AI-generated.
Claim
The video is circulating widely on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, with users claiming it shows an avalanche in Kashmir on February 6. The archived version of the post can be accessed here. Similar posts were also found online. (Links and archived links provided)
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we searched relevant keywords on Google. During this process, we found a video posted on the official Instagram account of the BBC. The BBC post reported that an avalanche occurred near a resort in Sonamarg, Kashmir, on January 27. However, the BBC post does not contain the viral video that is being shared on social media, indicating that the circulating clip is unrelated to the real incident.
A close examination of the viral video revealed several inconsistencies. For instance, during the alleged avalanche, people present at the site are not seen panicking, running for cover, or moving toward safer locations. Additionally, the movement and flow of the falling snow appear unnatural. Such visual anomalies are commonly observed in videos generated using artificial intelligence. As part of the research , the video was analyzed using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The tool indicated a 99.9% probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence gathered during our research , it is clear that the video being shared as footage of a Kashmir avalanche is not genuine. The clip is AI-generated and misleading. The viral claim is therefore false.
