On Monday, #JhootaPatra began to trend on Twitter and people shared the screenshots of a deleted tweet of BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.
In the tweet, Patra had shared an Indian Express article "Another ASHA worker is beaten while at work". However, Patra said that the incident took place in Faridabad and Faridabad Police were quick to bust Sambit Patra's fake news.
Patra had written, "In Faridabad, Jaan Mohammad and his people mercilessly beat up ASHA workers, who were collecting data on corona. They spread the news in the entire neighbourhood that the government was collecting data for the NRC. Police are looking for Jaan Mohammad and his associates to arrest them.”
Faridabad Police commented, "Sir namaskar, the incident involving ASHA workers that you are stating is not from Faridabad.”
Here is the now deleted tweet:
Twitter/@Abhilash_INC
According to Indian Express, the incident took place in Nuh, Haryana. An ASHA worker, Sajeeda and her husband, who were conducting a door-to-door coronavirus-related survey, were allegedly beaten up by Jaan Mohammad and his sons. The accused are now absconding, the Police said.
Sajeeda alleged that they accused her and her team of collecting data for the National Register of Citizens (NRC). “People often become angry even when we go for normal surveys. They are very suspicious, especially since the NRC and CAA… Coronavirus has made it even tougher because everyone is on edge. Usually we manage to explain things to them calmly and get the information, but it was impossible this time,” she said.
Meanwhile, #JhootaPatra began to trend on Twitter. Here are some of the reactions on the microblogging site:
