A viral video alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi disrespected the national anthem has been debunked as a malicious edit. Investigation reveals the original footage contains no anthem, only event announcements.
- A viral video claiming PM Modi walked during the national anthem is fake.
- Original footage from a Siwan, Bihar event shows no national anthem was playing.
- The clip was maliciously edited to overlay audio of the anthem onto unrelated footage.
In the wake of India's 80th Independence Day celebrations, a highly controversial video began circulating on social media platforms, specifically X (formerly Twitter). The clip purported to show Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking and greeting attendees while the national anthem was being played, leading to accusations of disrespect toward the national symbol.
However, a comprehensive forensic analysis conducted by India Today Fact Check has revealed that the video is a complete fabrication. The original footage, which was first uploaded to the Prime Minister's official YouTube channel on June 21, 2025, shows the PM entering a stage in Siwan, Bihar. In the authentic version, there is no national anthem; instead, a woman's voice is heard announcing the Prime Minister's arrival and welcoming him to the event.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights the increasing sophistication of 'cheap-fakes'—videos that are not deep-fakes created by AI, but simple edits designed to mislead the public through audio manipulation. In a hyper-polarized digital environment, such fabrications are often weaponized to trigger emotional responses and erode institutional respect.
The manipulation of audio tracks over authentic video is a growing trend in digital misinformation, designed to create a false narrative that is difficult for the casual viewer to detect.
Further investigation into the event reveals that the Prime Minister visited Siwan to lay foundation stones for 28 development projects valued at over Rs 5,900 crore. This included the inauguration of a Vande Bharat Express connecting Patna and Gorakhpur. Live streams of the entire event from official Government of India channels confirm that the national anthem was not playing during the segment shown in the viral clip.
The disparity between the viral claim and the factual evidence is starkly illustrated in the following comparison:
| Feature | Viral Clip | Original Footage |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Track | National Anthem | Event Announcement/Welcome |
| Context | Alleged Disrespect | Arrival at Siwan Event |
| Source | Unverified Social Media | Official PMO YouTube Channel |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Where did the original video come from?
The original video was uploaded to PM Modi's official YouTube channel on June 21, 2025, documenting an event in Siwan, Bihar.
Q2: Was the national anthem played at any point during the event?
Review of the full live-streamed event on official government channels found no evidence of the national anthem being played during the specific sequence where the PM greeted the crowd.
