#FactCheck: Video of Devotees Breaking Barricades During Ganesh Immersion Is From Hyderabad, Not Karnataka
Executive Summary
A video is being shared on social media showing several people breaking iron barricades installed along the banks of a water body. The video is being shared with the claim that people broke the barricades after the Karnataka government imposed a ban on idol immersion to prevent pollution in the river. CyberPeace Research found the viral claim to be misleading. Our Research revealed that the video is not from Karnataka but from Hyderabad, Telangana. The video shows members of The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee (BGUS) removing barricades installed at Tank Bund to prevent the immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in the water body. The barricades had been installed following the High Court’s directions. Therefore, the claim linking the video to Karnataka is incorrect.
Claim:
A Facebook user shared the video with the caption: “Chaos erupts in Karnataka over the ban on idol immersion! Breaking the iron barricades, they said — ‘We will immerse the idols in the river itself!’” The post link, archive link, and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1523733916224661
https://ghostarchive.org/archive/SJgmD
Fact Check
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a reverse image search of keyframes from the video. During the search, we found the same video on the Facebook page of Brut India. According to the post, the video is from Hyderabad. The caption states that despite the restrictions, devotees removed the barricades and made way during the Ganesh idol immersion at Hyderabad’s Tank Bund. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2220012475615416
Taking the Research forward, we found the same video in a news report uploaded on the YouTube channel of ‘9Plus News’ on September 21, 2026. The report also includes the portion of the viral clip in which people can be seen breaking the barricades. According to the report, the incident took place in the Tank Bund area of Hyderabad. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7GRELjqAwY
Conclusion
Our Research found that the viral video is not from Karnataka but from Hyderabad, Telangana. The video shows members of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee (BGUS) removing barricades installed at Tank Bund to prevent the immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in the water body. These barricades had been installed following the High Court’s directions. Therefore, the claim linking the video to Karnataka is false.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
A video showing protesters and smoke rising from an area is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it depicts violent protests in Nepal over demands to declare the country a Hindu nation. The CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video is actually from the Gen-Z protests in Nepal in September 2025 and is unrelated to the recent demands for a Hindu state.
Claim
Following reports of communal violence in Nepal in July 2026, an organisation submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Soodan Gurung, calling for discussions on declaring Nepal a Hindu nation. Against this backdrop, a video showing protesters and smoke has gone viral on social media. A Facebook user, ‘New Buzz’, shared the video on August 5, 2026, with the caption:
"Protests and discussions are being seen in several places in Nepal over the demand for a Hindu nation. People have different views on this issue. One should reach a conclusion only on the basis of official decisions and credible information."
https://www.facebook.com/reel/27872198842449234
https://ghostarchive.org/archive/P89Qo
FactCheck:
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search led us to a post by India Today journalist Marya Shakil on X, dated September 9, 2025. She had shared the same video and identified it as footage from the Gen-Z protests in Nepal against corruption
https://x.com/maryashakil/status/1965364156992782723?s=20
We also found a related news report on the NBC News YouTube channel, published on September 9, 2025. The video report also identified the footage as being from the protests in Nepal..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnhHoH0XKE
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video being shared as footage of violent protests in Nepal over the demand for a Hindu nation actually dates back to the September 2025 Gen-Z protests against corruption. Although an organisation submitted a 13-point memorandum to Nepal's Home Minister following the July 2026 communal violence, including a demand for discussions on declaring Nepal a Hindu nation, the viral video is unrelated to that development.
Introduction
In the age of digital advancement, where technology continually grows, so does the method of crime. The rise of cybercrime has created various threats to individuals and organizations, businesses, and government agencies. To combat such crimes law enforcement agencies are looking out for innovative solutions against these challenges. One such innovative solution is taken by the Surat Police in Gujarat, who have embraced the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bolster their efforts in reducing cybercrimes.
Key Highlights
Surat, India, has launched an AI-based WhatsApp chatbot called "Surat Police Cyber Mitra Chatbot" to tackle growing cybercrime. The chatbot provides quick assistance to individuals dealing with various cyber issues, ranging from reporting cyber crimes to receiving safety tips. The initiative is the first of its kind in the country, showcasing Surat Police's dedication to using advanced technology for public safety. Surat Police Commissioner-in-Charge commended the use of AI in crime control as a positive step forward, while also stressing the need for continuous improvements in various areas, including technological advancements, data acquisition related to cybercrime, and training for police personnel.
The Surat Cyber Mitra Chatbot, available on WhatsApp number 9328523417, offers round-the-clock assistance to citizens, allowing them to access crucial information on cyber fraud and legal matters.
Surat Police's AI Chatbot: Cyber Mitra
- Surat Police in Gujarat, India, has launched an AI-based WhatsApp chatbot, "Surat Police Cyber Mitra Chatbot," to combat growing cybercrime.
- The chatbot provides assistance to individuals dealing with various cyber issues, from reporting cyber crimes to receiving safety tips.
- The initiative is the first of its kind in the country, showcasing Surat Police's dedication to using advanced technology for public safety.
- The Surat Cyber Mitra Chatbot, available on WhatsApp number 9328523417, offers round-the-clock assistance to citizens, providing crucial information on cyber fraud.
The Growing Cybercrime Threat
With the advancement of technology, cybercrime has become more complex due to the interconnectivity of digital devices and the internet. The criminals exploit vulnerabilities in software, networks, and human behavior to perpetrate a wide range of malicious activities to fulfill their illicit gains. Individuals and organizations face a wide range of cyber risks that can cause significant financial, reputational, and emotional harm.
Surat Police’s Strategic Initiative
Surat Police Cyber Mitra Chatbot is an AI-powered tool for instant problem resolution. This innovative approach allows citizens to address any issue or query at their doorstep, providing immediate and accurate responses to concerns. The chatbot is accessible 24/7, 24 hours a day, and serves as a reliable resource for obtaining legal information related to cyber fraud.
The use of AI in police initiatives has been a topic of discussion for some time, and the Surat City Police has taken this step to leverage technology for the betterment of society. The chatbot promises to boost public trust towards law enforcement and improve the legal system by addressing citizen issues within seconds, ranging from financial disputes to cyber fraud incidents.
This accessibility extends to inquiries such as how to report financial crimes or cyber-fraud incidents and understand legal procedures. The availability of accurate information will not only enhance citizens' trust in the police but also contribute to the efficiency of law enforcement operations. The availability of accurate information will lead to more informed interactions between citizens and the police, fostering a stronger sense of community security and collaboration.
The utilisation of this chatbot will facilitate access to information and empower citizens to engage more actively with the legal system. As trust in the police grows and legal processes become more transparent and accessible, the overall integrity and effectiveness of the legal system are expected to improve significantly.
Conclusion
The Surat Police Cyber Mitra Chatbot is an AI-powered tool that provides round-the-clock assistance to citizens, enhancing public trust in law enforcement and streamlining access to legal information. This initiative bridges the gap between law enforcement and the community, fostering a stronger sense of security and collaboration, and driving improvements in the efficiency and integrity of the legal process.
References:
- https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/surat-first-city-in-india-to-launch-ai-chatbot-to-tackle-cybercrime/81861788.html
- https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/secure-india/gujarat-surat-police-adopts-ai-to-check-cyber-crimes/107410981
- https://www.timesnownews.com/india/chatbot-and-advanced-analytics-surat-police-utilising-ai-technology-to-reduce-cybercrime-article-107397157
- https://www.grownxtdigital.in/technology/surat-police-ai-cyber-mitra-chatbot-gujarat/
Executive Summary
A video circulating widely on social media shows a man interacting with a humanoid robot and using abusive language, after which the robot asks him to maintain politeness. Several users shared the clip claiming that the incident took place during a recent AI summit in New Delhi. The video triggered strong reactions online, with some users demanding legal action against the individual. However, research by CyberPeace found the claim to be misleading.
Claim
Social media users claimed that the viral video showing a man abusing a robot was recorded during an AI summit in New Delhi, India.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we conducted a reverse image search of the individual seen in the video. The search led us to an Instagram post uploaded by a Pakistani account identifying the individual as Kashif Zameer.
Further keyword searches helped us locate his Instagram profile, where the same video had been uploaded on February 17, 2026. The post included hashtags such as “Dubai,” indicating the actual location of the incident. The profile also lists Lahore, Pakistan, as the user’s location and describes him as a businessman and social media personality.
To confirm the location shown in the video, we conducted additional searches using keywords such as “Dubai” and “humanoid robot.” The research revealed that the robot featured in the clip is “Ameca,” located at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video is not related to any AI summit held in New Delhi. The incident occurred in Dubai, and the person seen in the video is not an Indian citizen.
