BJP leaders share old Patna video as hydrogen train stone-pelting
- BJP leaders shared a video claiming protestors pelted stones at the newly launched hydrogen train.
- The video is from Patna, 2023, and shows stone-pelting on a different train.
- Indian Railways has officially denied the viral claim.
New Delhi: A video circulating on social media, shared by several BJP leaders, falsely claims that protestors pelted stones at India's first hydrogen-powered train shortly after its launch. The video, which shows stones being thrown at a moving train, has been debunked as old and unrelated.
Viral Video and False Claims
The clip was widely shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp, with captions alleging that "CJP protestors" attacked the newly inaugurated hydrogen train. The claim quickly gained traction, prompting a response from Indian Railways.
Officials from the national transporter clarified that the video is not from any recent incident involving the hydrogen train. They stated that the train has been operating without any such disruptions.
Fact Check Reveals Origin
Fact-checking outlet Alt News traced the video's origin. Their investigation found that the footage is from Patna, Bihar, and dates back to 2023. It shows stone-pelting on a different train, not the hydrogen-powered one.
The incident in the old video was related to a separate protest, and has no connection to the hydrogen train's launch or its subsequent operations. The false narrative appears to be an attempt to link unrelated events.
Political Context of Hydrogen Train Launch
The confusion comes in the wake of the Prime Minister launching India's first hydrogen-powered train. The event was marked by political exchanges, with the PM taking jibes at opposition parties like Congress and AAP.
Congress leader Deepender Hooda had earlier claimed that the BJP was taking credit for projects initiated by previous Congress governments. The hydrogen train project has become a talking point in the ongoing political discourse.
The Indian Express reported that the Railways had to issue a denial after the video went viral, reiterating that the train's launch and subsequent runs have been incident-free.
Editorial Perspective on Clean Energy
An editorial in Telangana Today highlighted the significance of the hydrogen train as a step towards clean energy in India's railway sector. The train is part of a larger push to reduce carbon emissions and modernise the network.
Despite the political point-scoring, the launch marks a technological milestone. The train uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate power, emitting only water vapour.
The false video, however, underscores the ease with which old visuals can be repurposed to create a misleading narrative around a major government initiative.
Authorities have not announced any action against those who shared the unverified clip. The focus remains on the train's operational rollout, with more such trains expected to be introduced on select routes in the coming months.