India Today’s fact‑check confirms that the video circulating online during the latest Jadavpur University clashes dates back to the 2014 ‘Kiss of Love’ movement and is unrelated to the current unrest. The verification helps curb misinformation.

  • The video is from 2014, not linked to today’s Jadavpur protests
  • ‘Kiss of Love’ began as a stand against moral policing
  • Fact‑check traced the clip to a Zee News Bangla YouTube upload

After a clash on August 20, 2026, between ABVP members and left‑wing student unions at Jadavpur University, a clip showing men and women kissing during a protest went viral on social platforms. Users claimed it captured the ongoing unrest.

India Today’s fact‑check team performed a reverse‑image search of the footage and located the original upload on Zee News Bangla’s YouTube channel dated November 5, 2014. The caption identified it as part of the “Kiss Protest” in Jadavpur, Kolkata, part of the broader 2014 ‘Kiss of Love’ campaign.

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The ‘Kiss of Love’ movement launched on November 2, 2014, at Marine Drive in Kochi, protesting alleged moral policing by BJP youth workers in Kozhikode. Participants expressed affection publicly through hugs and kisses, turning the act into a symbolic resistance.

The campaign quickly spread nationwide, reaching campuses such as Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jadavpur University. Contemporary reports from The Times of India and The Indian Express documented similar demonstrations at Kolkata’s Indian Coffee House and in front of Presidency University.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that misattributing old footage to current events can amplify social tensions, making accurate fact‑checking essential for a healthy democratic discourse.

"Sharing outdated videos as proof of present unrest only fuels division," notes media analyst Anjali Singh.
Did You Know?: Over 10,000 students across India participated in the 2014 ‘Kiss of Love’ protests, making it one of the largest youth‑led movements against moral policing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the viral video linked to the recent Jadavpur University clash?
No, the clip originates from 2014 and bears no connection to the current incidents.

What was the primary goal of the 2014 ‘Kiss of Love’ movement?
The movement aimed to challenge moral policing by publicly displaying affection as a form of peaceful protest.