Social media unmasks ‘no burqa no ride on bus in Kerala’ propaganda

Kozhikode: A recent hate campaign against Kerala, orchestrated by certain factions of the Sangh Parivar, has been debunked by vigilant social media users. The misinformation alleged that women in Kerala were barred from using public buses without wearing a burqa, sparking outrage and false claims.

The controversy erupted when a video clip shared by Anandi Nair on X went viral, claiming that Hindu women had to cover their heads to use public transport in Kerala.

The post suggested a religious bias, stating that "God's own country has now become Allah's own country." The video, purportedly showing a woman being expelled from a bus for not wearing a burqa, was widely shared, with even BJP national secretary Anil Antony joining the chorus.

However, social media sleuths quickly unravelled the truth behind the video. The incident occurred in Kasaragod and involved a dispute between a group of students and a woman on a bus.

The argument was related to stopping the bus in front of a college and had no communal undertones. The Kumbala police confirmed that there was no communal aspect to the incident, further discrediting the hate campaign.

In response to the debunked claims, many individuals, including fact-checker Mohammad Zubair and writer-activist Sudha Menon, have called for action against Anandi Nair for spreading false information. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of critical scrutiny and fact-checking in the age of rapid information dissemination through social media.

As the truth emerges, the fabricated narrative stands exposed, emphasizing the need for responsible sharing and fact verification to prevent the spread of misinformation.