New Delhi: Congress National Spokesperson Pawan Khera Monday quote-tweeted a news story about Nepal occupying 7,100 acres of land claimed by India.
“Nepal is occupying our land and we are distributing the certificate of patriotism amongst ourselves in the country,” Khera said in Hindi.
ये क्या हाल बना रखा है देश का? नेपाल हमारी ज़मीन पर क़ब्ज़ा कर रहा है और हम देश में ही आपस में राष्ट्र्भक्ति का सर्टिफ़िकेट बाँट रहे हैं https://t.co/XZjHYlTwKW
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) November 15, 2021
Khera shared the image of Dainik Bhaskar’s front page which was tweeted by a user named ‘The Indian’. “Hello Modi ji, will you say something now?” the user had written.
हेल्लो मोदी जी, कुछ बोलोगे अब तो? या फिर मुंह में फेविकोल चिपका का बैठे हो? pic.twitter.com/euFbxowNQP
— The Indian (@_HumHindustani) November 15, 2021
Fact check
A closer look reveals that the front page story is not from today but from September 2018. Jansatta, too, had reported on this story in August that year. The report said Nepal has captured a chunk of land from Bihar’s West Champaran district, which included various forested and hilly areas.
“The DM of this area, Dr. Nilesh Ramchandra Dewar says that this is an international issue, while DFO Gaurav Ojha believes that there is encroachment on the land,” Dainik Bhaskar had reported.
While several Twitter users agreed with Khera’s view and retweeted his comment, others were quick to criticise the Congress leader for sharing a headline from 2018 as new development.
ये है कांग्रेस के सीनियर प्रवक्ता, 2018 की फ़ेक न्यूज़ पर आउटरेज करने 2021 में नींद से जाग रहे है। ? https://t.co/yvTe4lGuRO pic.twitter.com/3649Fl7yPg
— Lala (@FabulasGuy) November 15, 2021
Sir ji ab m samjhta tha ki PAPPU hi Pagal h…par m galat tha puri PART hi PAPPU h..2018 k News paper twitt karke kya prove karne chahte h aap…. https://t.co/BDNTWQ33Wk
— JANG's 6 (@JANGs61) November 15, 2021
चीन ने पिछवाड़ा 56” का कर रखा है पनौती का। इसे कहते हैं लाल आँखें ।अगर उसने डंडे का असर दिखाया तो इसका क्या हश्र होगा, बैठना तो दूर की कौड़ी होगी ,जुमले फेंकने लायक़ भी नहीं होगा।कोई शक अंड शंड भक्तों ?
— भारतीय (@tamtam98917530) November 15, 2021
Even Nepal is not scared of our chhappan inch ka seene wala ? https://t.co/01q41MmnJA
— Malz (@Malz59408224) November 15, 2021
The youth wing of the Congress had also raised this issue in August 2020, referring to Dainik Bhaskar’s headline.
भारत की 7100 एकड़ जमीन पर नेपाल का कब्जा, एसएसबी को एक्शन की मनाही, प्रशासन को बोलने की इजाजत नहीं
#दैनिकभास्कर pic.twitter.com/N6fZwi5iHh
— Youth Congress (@IYC) August 17, 2020
This is not the sole border dispute that currently exists between India and Nepal. Last year, former Nepal prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli had alleged that “India encroached Nepali territory” through occupying land in the disputed Kalapani area.
In collaboration with SM Hoaxslayer.
(Edited by Paramita Ghosh)
Also read: Video of students taking oath not to vote for BJP is from 2018. Viral clip is out of context