#FactCheck-Stone Pelting Video from Mathura Misrepresented as Part of “Cockroach Janata Party” Campaign; Fact Check Reveals Old Incident
Executive Summary
A video showing stone pelting on vehicles is being widely shared on social media and falsely linked to a campaign called the “Cockroach Janata Party.” The claim suggests that people have taken to the streets and are attacking VIP vehicles by throwing stones. CyberPeace Research Wing research found that the video is from March and shows stone pelting on a police vehicle in Mathura following the killing of “Farasa Wale Baba.”
Claim
An 18-second viral clip circulating online shows a crowd throwing stones at passing vehicles. The video also contains overlaid text reading,“Cockroach sarkon par utar chuke hain, ab koi VIP nahi, ab sab barabar hain.”Users are sharing it as part of a supposed “Cockroach Janata Party” campaign.
Fact Check
A reverse image search of key frames shows that the clip was originally uploaded on multiple social media accounts on March 22–23, where it was described as an incident from Mathura following the death of a local figure known as “Farasa Wale Baba.” In those posts, the incident was reported as stone pelting on a police vehicle by miscreants.
Further verification found the same visuals in a video posted by NDTV India on March 21, 2026, with a caption stating that it showed stone pelting on police during unrest in Mathura after the death of “Farasa Wale Baba.”
Conclusion
The researchclearly confirms that the viral video has been misrepresented. The footage is from a March incident in Mathura involving unrest following a local death, and it has no connection to any “Cockroach Janata Party” campaign or VIP-targeted violence claims.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
Amid the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, a video clip circulating on social media claims to show Iran unveiling a drone resembling the US B-2 stealth bomber. In the viral clip, an aircraft-like object can be seen emerging from a cave before taking off. Several users are sharing the video with the claim that Iran has deployed a B-2-style drone in the conflict.
However, research by the CyberPeace found that the viral video is not real and was generated using artificial intelligence. While the United States has reportedly used B-2 stealth bombers in strikes against Iran during the conflict, the viral clip does not show an actual Iranian drone.
Claim
X user “Muslim_Voice_Space” posted the video on March 3, 2026, claiming that Iran had rolled out a drone resembling the B-2 bomber for use in the war.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we first closely examined the viral video. In the opening moments of the clip, the wing of the alleged drone appears to hit the side of the cave while exiting. Despite the apparent collision, the aircraft continues flying smoothly without any visible damage. This unusual detail raised doubts about the authenticity of the footage.
We then analyzed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which flagged the clip as likely AI-generated.
Further analysis using the Sightengine AI detection tool also suggested that the video was artificially created. The tool estimated a 75% probability that the footage was generated using AI. It also indicated a 70% likelihood that the clip may have been created using Sora, an AI video-generation tool.
Conclusion
The viral video claiming to show an Iranian drone resembling the US B-2 stealth bomber emerging from a cave is not authentic. Analysis indicates that the clip was created using AI tools and is being misleadingly shared in the context of the ongoing conflict.
Introduction
The enactment of the Online Gaming (Promotion and Regulation) Act, 2025 has a significant impact, resulting in considerable changes to the structure of the Indian gaming industry. The ban on Real-Money Games (RMG), including fantasy sports, rummy, and poker, aims to curb addiction, illegal betting and most importantly, financial exploitation.
However, this decision sent ripples throughout the industry, resulting in players, companies and their investors re-strategising their plans to move forward. This approach, however, is a sharp contrast to how other nations, including the UK, Singapore and others, regulate online gaming. This, as a result, has also raised doubts about the ban and calls into question whether this is the right move.
Industry in Flux - The resultant Fallout
- MPL’s Layoffs: The Mobile Premiere League has so far laid off nearly 60 per cent of its workforce, with the CEO of the company openly admitting that the company is no longer able to make money in India.
- Dream11’s Lost Revenue: Having seen a position of being a market leader, the company has now witnessed its 95 per cent revenue wiped out, resulting in raised alarms among investors.
- A23’s Legal Move: The company chose to move the Karnataka High Court under the argument that the ban also ends up unfairly criminalising skill-based games that were earlier classified differently from gambling by the courts.
The new face of eSports: With RMGs outlawed, the focus is now on esports, including casual mobile gaming, console/PC gaming, and creating new opportunities and also leaving a void for RMG revenue companies.
Regulations Around the World - & India
India has adopted a prohibition model, whereas many other countries have developed regulatory frameworks that allow sectoral expansion under monitoring.
United Kingdom:
- Online gaming is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
- RMGs are legal but subject to strict licensing, age verification and advertising rules.
- Self-exclusion schemes are a must, offered by operators along with tools to prevent gambling addictions.
United States
- State-driven regulations that vary from state to state.
- States including Nevada and New Jersey allow casinos both online and offline, while other states prohibit them completely.
- Regulation for skill-based fantasy games is fragmented but generally legal.
China
- Great focus on controlling and restricting gaming addictions among minors.
- Time limits are enforced for players under 18 (usually as little as 3 hours per week).
- Gambling has been deemed illegal; however, esports and casual gaming operate within China’s regulated gaming ecosystem, subject to certain compliance.
Singapore
- The Remote Gambling Act regulates chance-based games, while other eSports and skill-based games operate out of its jurisdiction and are regulated separately.
- Online gambling isn't completely banned, but is operated under restrictions.
- Only Licensed operators under strict controls are allowed by the government to operate to avoid and prevent black-market alternatives.
Australia
- Regulates under the Interactive Gambling Act.
- Sports betting and certain licensed operators are allowed, while most of the other online gambling services are prohibited.
- Restrictions on advertising and real-time interventions allow emphasis on harm minimisation.
India’s Approach - Comparison
The Online Gaming (Promotion and Regulation) Act, 2025 introduces a prohibition model for real money games. This differs from jurisdictions such as the UK and US, which have implemented regulatory frameworks to oversee the sector. In India, earlier legal interpretations distinguished between games of skill and games of chance. The new legislation provides a single treatment for both categories, which marks a departure from previous judicial pronouncements.
Conclusion
At present, India’s gaming sector is navigating layoffs, court cases, and a pivot towards esports post the RMG ban. Keeping in mind that the intent of said ban is the protection of citizens, the industry also argues that regulation, instead of prohibition, offers a sustainable approach to the issues. On the other hand, on the global scale, most nations prefer controlled and licensed models that ensure consumer safety and work on preserving both jobs and revenues. However, India’s step is diverging from such a model. The lack of safeguards and engagement in the real money gaming industry led to a prohibition model, underscoring that in sensitive digital sectors, early regulatory alignment is essential.
References
- India online gaming ban: Global rules & regulation bill 2025
- Level up or game over? Decoding India’s gaming industry post RMG ban
- MPL lays off 350 employees after GST rules, RMG crackdown
- India’s Dream11 hit by online gaming ban, revenue slumps
- Online gaming ban: A23 moves Karnataka HC against government decision
- UK Gambling Commission – Licensing and Regulations
- Fantasy Sports & Gambling Law – State by State
- China’s gaming restrictions for minors
- Singapore Remote Gambling Act – Ministry of Home Affairs
- Australian Communications and Media Authority – Interactive Gambling Act
Executive Summary
A collage of two images circulating on social media is falsely claiming that the street vendor who served jhalmuri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign in Jhargram was actually a personnel from the Special Protection Group (SPG). Research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false and misleading, indicating that it is being shared as part of election-related misinformation. The vendor and the SPG personnel seen in the viral collage are two different individuals.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user, “@Jeetuburdak,” shared the viral collage on April 21, 2026, with the caption: “Another scam! The jhalmuri seller turned out to be an SPG commando.” The post quickly gained traction online.
Fact Check
A close examination of the two images used in the collage shows clear visual differences between the individuals. The person seen in SPG uniform does not match the street vendor who served food to the prime minister. Reverse image searches were conducted using multiple tools to trace the origin of the images. While no verifiable source was found linking the SPG personnel’s image to the vendor, several credible reports and videos featured the actual jhalmuri seller from the campaign event.
- https://x.com/ANI/status/2045859146508177911?s=20
- https://news24online.com/cities/kolkata/who-is-the-man-that-served-jhalmuri-to-pm-modi-know-his-daily-income-and-what-he-talked-about-with-pm/811123/
According to media reports, the prime minister briefly stopped at a roadside stall during the campaign in Jhargram and interacted with the vendor while enjoying jhalmuri. The vendor was later interviewed by multiple outlets, further confirming his identity as a local seller. Additionally, technical facial comparison analysis using online tools also indicated that the two individuals in the viral collage are not the same person.
Conclusion
The claim that the jhalmuri vendor was an SPG commando is false and misleading. The viral collage shows two different individuals, and there is no evidence to support the allegation.
