#FactCheck-Mosque fire in India? False, it's from Indonesia
Executive Summary:
A social media viral post claims to show a mosque being set on fire in India, contributing to growing communal tensions and misinformation. However, a detailed fact-check has revealed that the footage actually comes from Indonesia. The spread of such misleading content can dangerously escalate social unrest, making it crucial to rely on verified facts to prevent further division and harm.
Claim:
The viral video claims to show a mosque being set on fire in India, suggesting it is linked to communal violence.
Fact Check
The investigation revealed that the video was originally posted on 8th December 2024. A reverse image search allowed us to trace the source and confirm that the footage is not linked to any recent incidents. The original post, written in Indonesian, explained that the fire took place at the Central Market in Luwuk, Banggai, Indonesia, not in India.
Conclusion: The viral claim that a mosque was set on fire in India isn’t True. The video is actually from Indonesia and has been intentionally misrepresented to circulate false information. This event underscores the need to verify information before spreading it. Misinformation can spread quickly and cause harm. By taking the time to check facts and rely on credible sources, we can prevent false information from escalating and protect harmony in our communities.
- Claim: The video shows a mosque set on fire in India
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Related Blogs
A photo featuring Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is being widely shared on social media. In the image, both players are seen holding a Shivling, with the Kedarnath temple visible in the background. Users sharing the image claim that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma recently visited Kedarnath.
However, CyberPeace Foundation’s investigation found the claim to be false. Our verification established that the viral image is not real but has been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a misleading narrative.
The Claim
An Instagram user shared the viral image on December 22, 2025, with the caption stating that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in Kedarnath. The post has since been widely reshared by other users, who assumed the image to be authentic. Link, archive link, screenshot:
Fact Check
On closely examining the viral image, the Desk noticed visual inconsistencies suggesting that it may be AI-generated. To verify this, the image was scanned using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation. According to the results, the image was found to be 99 per cent AI-generated.
Further verification was conducted using another AI detection tool, Sightengine. The analysis revealed that the image was 93 per cent likely to be AI-generated, reinforcing the findings from the previous tool.
Conclusion
CyberPeace Foundation’s research confirms that the viral image claiming Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma visited Kedarnath is fabricated. The image has been generated using AI technology and is being falsely shared on social media as a real photograph.
Executive Summary
During the Gau Raksha Yatra of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, bees reportedly attacked a discourse event in Rohania area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Following the incident, a picture has gone viral on social media showing bees attacking Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. Several users are sharing the image as genuine while targeting the Shankaracharya online. CyberPeace Research Wing investigated the viral image and found it to be fake. Our research revealed that the picture was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). While it is true that a bee attack occurred during Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s discourse program, the viral image itself is fabricated.
Claim
A Facebook user named “Sanjay Chaudhary” shared the viral image on May 15, 2026, with the caption: “Prakritik kop ka bhajan bana Shukracharya Umashankar alias Avimukteshwaranand… This Kaalnemi was delivering false sermons in Rohania, Varanasi in the name of religion… The bees from a nearby hive did not like it and collectively attacked, creating chaos. Even insects and nature no longer like the opposition’s politics disguised as Sanatan Dharma. Calling Yogi Ji Aurangzeb, Akbar and butcher is not acceptable even to nature and insects.”
Post link and archive link are given below:
- https://www.facebook.com/sanjaychaudhary073/posts/pfbid02kgts8igKDwgctz3MamECMGoGfQR5aWPTdsDgLeux3pD9jwP7ADfgNpoPfHvMb9Zul
- https://perma.cc/E6SE-BAXZ
Fact-Check
To verify the viral claim, we used Google Open Search tools and found reports related to the incident on the YouTube channel of News18 UP Uttarakhand. A report published on May 13, 2026 stated that bees attacked the discourse event during Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Gau Raksha Yatra in Rohania, Varanasi. The incident created panic at the venue, forcing the Swami to end his discourse midway. The channel also uploaded a YouTube Shorts video related to the incident.
As part of the research, we further analyzed the viral image using AI detection tools. First, we used the tool “Sight Engine,” which indicated an 88 percent probability that the image was AI-generated.
We then examined the image using another AI detection tool called “Undetectable,” which also suggested that the photo was likely created using AI.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral image is AI-generated. The picture was created using artificial intelligence tools. While bees did attack during Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s Gau Raksha Yatra on May 13, 2026, the viral image circulating on social media is fictional and not real.
Introduction
India has been a nation where technology penetration has been a little slower in the previous decades; however, that has changed now. Cyberspace has influenced and touched every country and has significantly diminished the gap between developing nations, developed nations, and underdeveloped nations. This has also been substantiated and strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic as the world went into lockdown and the cyberspace was the only medium of communication and information. India witnessed a rise of 61% in terms of internet users, and a significant part of this number represented rural India.
New Standards
These standards have been released in threefold aspects covering – Digital Television Receivers, USB Type-C chargers, and Video Surveillance Systems, thus streamlining the use of gadgets and reduction of e-waste for the country.
1. Digital Television Receivers
The Indian standard IS 18112:2022 specification for digital television, and this standard would enable reception of free-to-air TV and radio channels just by connecting a dish antenna with LNB mounted on a suitable area with good signal reception. This will help in the transmission of knowledge about government initiatives and schemes, the educational content of Doordarshan, and the repository of Indian cultural programs. Doordarshan is in the process of phasing out analog transmission, and free-to-air channels will continue to be broadcast using digital satellite transmission. The keen aspects of educational and awareness programs run by the Govt and CSOs will impact more Indians than before as the Ministry of Information and Broadcast intends to increase their free channels of Doordarshan from 55 to 200 by the end of this year, which shows the importance of developments in the mass media industry.
2. USB Type C
Standard (IS/IEC 62680-1-3:2022) for USB Type-C receptacles, plugs, and cables adopting the existing global standard IEC 62680-1-3:2022. This standard provides for the requirements for USB type C ports and cables for use in various electronic devices like laptops, mobile phones, and other gadgets. This standard is similar to the new European standard, which is also aimed at the reduction of carbon emissions and e-waste; this move will result in ease for the industry and the end users. This will also contribute towards the strengthening of the cyber security aspects and prevent threats like ‘Juice Jacking’ to a massive extent.
3. Video Surveillance System
IS 16190, this standard provides a detailed outline of the aspects of a video surveillance system, such as requirements for its components like camera devices, interfaces, system requirements, and tests to ascertain the camera’s image quality on different devices. This series of standards would assist customers, installers, and users in establishing their requirements and determining the appropriate equipment required for their intended application and also provide means of evaluating the performance of the VSS objectively. This will also help in the improvement of surveillance by the individuals, and this will also help in the better investigation by Law enforcement agencies and faster apprehension of criminals, thus contributing to an overall safe society.
The Advantages
These standards are in power with the Internationally prevalent standards, thus taking the safety factors to the global aspect. This will also allow the Indian industry to create world-class products which can be shared all across the globe. This will open India to various opportunities and job avenues, thus opening the world to invest in India. The aspect of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Digital India will be strengthened to a new level as the nation will be able to deliver products in power with quality in developed countries. The end Indian consumer will benefit the most from these upgraded standards in terms of Digital Televisions, Type ‘C’ USB chargers, and Video surveillance systems, as these impacts the consumers’ daily activities in terms of security and access to information.
- Reduction in Carbon Emission
- Production of World Class components and devices
- Boost to the economy and Atmanirbhar Bharat
- New avenues and opportunities for startups and MSMEs
- Better transmission of Knowledge
- Boosting FDI
- Improved quality of products for the end consumer
- New innovation hubs and exposure to global talents
This government move simply shows how India is working toward securing the Sustainable development Goals (SDG) by United Nations. This clearly shares the message to the world that India is ready for the future and will also be a helping hand to various developing and underdeveloped nations in the times to come.
Conclusion
These standards will significantly contribute towards the reduction of E-Waste and unnecessary accessories for daily use gadgets. This strengthens the reduction in carbon emissions and thus contributes towards the perseverance of the environment and working towards sustainable development goals. Such standards will lead the future towards securing the netizens and their new and evolving digital habits. In the current phase of cyberspace, the most essential aspect of establishing Critical Infrastructure as the same will act as a shield against the threats of cyberspace.
