Festive Gathering Falsely Labeled as ‘Exodus’

New Delhi, November 25, 2025: A video circulating widely on social media, which purported to show a mass “exodus” of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants fleeing West Bengal, has been definitively debunked by fact-checking organizations. The alarming footage, which was presented as evidence of undocumented individuals leaving the state due to fear of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, was found to be a gross misrepresentation of a religious event.

True Context: Kali Idol Immersion

The crowd seen in the viral video was not composed of fleeing immigrants but of devotees participating in a major religious festival. The video was confirmed to have been filmed during the immersion procession of a Kali idol (also known as Shyama Puja) in Foonkotla, a village located in the West Bengal-Bangladesh border belt of the Nadia district. Local police officials were contacted and confirmed that the people were gathering to escort the idol to the Mathabhanga River for immersion at the Nimtala Ghat.

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Political Firestorm Generated

Despite the clarity of the evidence, the misleading video was utilized by various political and media groups to fuel the narrative of a “reverse exodus” from the state. The footage was circulated with captions suggesting a border crisis, sparking intense political debate and raising security concerns. The incident has been highlighted as a powerful example of how genuine public anxiety over issues like the SIR drive can be exploited and can be misrepresented by unverified visual content.

Reminder on Media Vigilance Issued

The overall event is serving as a potent reminder that visual media that is shared on social platforms, especially concerning sensitive political and border issues, must be subjected to immediate and rigorous fact-checking. The integrity of the information ecosystem is continually challenged by the speed and reach of such misleading viral videos.