Fact Check: Viral Claim of Muslim Community Placing Pole on Rampur Railway Track Debunked—Here's the Real Story!
RAMPUR, India — A recent photo circulating on social media purporting to show a metal pole placed on railway tracks in Rampur has sparked controversy. Many users have falsely alleged that members of the Muslim community were responsible for this act, claiming it was an attempt to derail trains. However, a thorough fact-check has revealed that these assertions are unfounded. The pole was actually abandoned by two intoxicated individuals attempting to steal it. The incident highlights the spread of misinformation surrounding railway accidents, and the community is urged to verify facts before sharing such claims.
Viral Claims: A photo of a metal pole on railway tracks has gone viral, with social media users attributing its placement to an alleged conspiracy by Muslims to derail trains in Rampur.
ಉತ್ತರ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ರಾಂಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ರೈಲ್ವೇ ಪಲ್ಟಿ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ಜೀಹಾದಿಗಳು ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಹಳಿ ಮೇಲೆ ಸುಮಾರು 8 ರಿಂದ 9 ಮೀಟರ್ ಉದ್ದದ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣದ ಕಂಬವನ್ನು ಇಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ.ಆದರೆ,ಡೆಹ್ರಾಡೂನ್ ಎಕ್ಸ್ಪ್ರೆಸ್ ರೈಲಿನ ಲೋಕೋ ಪೈಲಟ್ನ ಜಾಣತನದಿಂದ ಅನಾಹುತ ತಪ್ಪಿದೆ.ಕಬ್ಬಿಣದ ಕಂಬವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ತುರ್ತು ಬ್ರೇಕ್ ಹಾಕುವ ಮೂಲಕ ರೈಲನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದರು pic.twitter.com/aLVyXr3Jib
— ಶ್ರೇಯಾ🚩🚩🚩Shreya🌹❤️🇮🇳श्रेया 🚩🚩🚩 (@Shreya_Sanatani) September 20, 2024
False Allegations: Posts circulating on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook have incorrectly labeled the perpetrators as members of the Muslim community, leading to widespread misinformation.
Actual Incident: Fact-checking by TV9 Kannada has shown that the pole was not placed as part of any conspiracy, but was left by two intoxicated individuals, Sandeep and Vijendra, who were attempting to steal it.
Railway Heroics: A train driver, upon spotting the pole, managed to avert disaster by applying emergency brakes, demonstrating quick thinking in a potentially dangerous situation.
Background of Arrest: Police investigations revealed that the two men involved had prior criminal records. They were arrested on September 22, confirming their identities as Hindus, thus debunking the communal narrative.
Misinformation Alert: Authorities are urging the public to be cautious about sharing unverified information, especially regarding sensitive communal topics, as such misinformation can lead to unnecessary panic and tensions within communities.
