Video from 2021 shared as farmers 'vandalizing Haryana CM Saini’s event'

What is the claim?

A video circulating on social media depicts individuals vandalizing a public event and demolishing the stage. The video is accompanied by a claim that it shows farmers destroying a pandal, a temporary structure erected for an event involving Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The embedded text in the viral video reads, "Farmers stormed and demolished Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's pandal, even the forces retreated, leaving the BJP in silence."

The posts were shared on social media with the caption, "Farmer brothers giving 400 seats to BJP in Haryana!" Archives of these posts can be found here, here, and here. The reference to 400 seats stems from claims by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Screenshots of the viral posts on social media. (Source: X/Facebook/Modified by Logically Facts) 

However, the video in question dates back to 2021 and does not depict an event involving Saini, the incumbent Chief Minister of Haryana.

What are the facts?

A reverse image search led us to a report published by The Economic Times on January 11, 2021, which included footage of the same incident. The report, titled "Haryana: Protesting farmers ransack venue of CM Khattar Karnal rally; police use water cannon, tear gas shells," reveals that the incident took place on January 10 during protests against the Centre's contentious agricultural laws.

Comparison of the viral video to the video by Economic Times. (Source: X/Website/Modified by Logically Facts) 

According to the report, the 'kisan mahapanchayat' program in Kaimla village in Haryana’s Karnal district was disrupted by protesting farmers. The event, at which then-Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was scheduled to address the public and elucidate the benefits of the laws, had to be canceled due to vandalism. A Times Now reporter present at the scene confirmed that Khattar had indeed organized the event.

India Today also broadcasted footage from the incident on January 11, 2021, reporting that the Haryana Police deployed water cannons and tear gas shells to deter the protesters from advancing towards the village.

Comparison of the viral video to the video by India Today. (Source: X/Website/Modified by Logically Facts) 

The Indian Express reported on the incident on January 10, 2021, sharing several images from the scene. These photos, showing the same stage, banner, and pandal, reported that Khattar had to cancel the event after farmers attacked the venue. The report also stated that the helipad designated for Khattar's landing was damaged, necessitating a change in the landing location.

By comparing the stage, the barricades, and other minor details in the aforementioned reports with the viral video, it becomes evident that the video is from 2021—when farmers were protesting against the farm laws. The video has no connection to the ongoing 2024 general election or the current Haryana Chief Minister.

In November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced repealing the three farm laws that had sparked intense protests. The laws were officially withdrawn in December of the same year.

The verdict

The video, dating back to 2021, shows farmers vandalizing a venue in Haryana where then-Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was slated to speak about the benefits of the farm laws. The video is currently being shared with a false claim that it depicts farmers vandalizing a BJP event in Haryana related to the current Chief Minister, Saini. Therefore, we have marked this claim as false.