Viral Video Fact Check: Did Bansuri Swaraj Disrespect the National Anthem

Recently, a video of BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj has gone viral on social media, leading to claims that she left a stage mid-way through the national anthem. However, a closer look at the complete video reveals a different story.

The Viral Claim and the Reality

The video, which has been widely circulated, shows Bansuri Swaraj walking off the stage while the national anthem is being sung. Those sharing the clip have accused her of disrespecting the national anthem. However, this video is incomplete and has been taken out of context. The event was the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha’s “Yuva Shankhnad Program” held in Gaya, Bihar.

In the longer, complete video, it becomes clear that Bansuri Swaraj did not leave the stage in an act of disrespect. She momentarily walked away from the podium because the audience and people on stage were not singing the national anthem in unison. She then appealed to the crowd to sing it correctly and in sync, after which she returned to her spot and the anthem was sung again, in its entirety, with proper decorum.

Bansuri Swaraj herself addressed the controversy on her social media account, stating that the viral video was incomplete and that she had insisted on the national anthem being sung correctly. She also shared the full video to show that the anthem was ultimately sung with pride and respect.

This is a clear example of how an edited or incomplete video can lead to a false narrative and misinformation.