On April 12, several images of a public gathering were circulated on social media with the claim that: “Thousands have rallied in Sohrawardi Park, Kolkata, India, in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.”
See such a claim in a Facebook post, Here (Archive).
See a similar claim on X (formerly Twitter), Here (Archive).
Notably, the claim was spread by the London-based, Palestine-focused media outlet Quds News Network via its X account, and also by a Facebook page named The Times of Palestine, which is operated from Palestine, Turkey, and other countries.
Fact-check
Rumor Scanner’s investigation reveals that the circulated images of the public rally are not from Kolkata, India. Rather, they depict the “March for Gaza” event held in Dhaka on April 12, organized to show solidarity with Palestinians protesting Israeli genocide in Gaza.
In examining the posts in question, the images attached clearly show the logo of Somoy TV, a mainstream Bangladeshi news outlet. Based on this lead, a post was found on Somoy TV’s official Facebook page from April 12, titled: “March for Gaza. Crowds are gathering in Suhrawardy Udyan through processions. The entire area echoes with slogans.”
The post includes 10 images and can be viewed here.
A comparison between the images in the false claim and those in the Somoy TV post shows they are identical, confirming that the photos in question are indeed from the “March for Gaza” public gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, not Kolkata.
It is worth mentioning that Gaza has been reduced to rubble due to Israeli aggression. Israel has shut down all services including food and medical aid, unleashing a brutal genocide on Palestinians. Around the world, people of conscience have continued to protest this genocide. Now, the people of Bangladesh have also raised their voices.
On April 12, during the “March for Gaza”, event in Dhaka, thousands of people gathered to demand an end to the barbaric genocide of Palestinians. (more here)
The event was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Movement, with participation from people across Bangladesh, including students from schools, colleges, universities, madrasas, religious scholars, and people from all walks of life.
Therefore, the images from the “March for Gaza” rally held in Dhaka on April 12 in solidarity with Palestinians have been falsely circulated as visuals of a public gathering in Kolkata, India. This claim is false.
Sources
- Somoy News TV – Facebook Post
- Prothom Alo – “March For Gaza” Bangladesh is vocal in protest against the genocide
- The Daily Star – From Dhaka, for Gaza
