Politics is often a dirty cesspool of opportunistic vultures masquerading as leaders trying to scavenge upon anything and everything to gain few political points. Congress party is the epitome of the same, and it showed when its leaders used the fake news of the murder of wrestler Nisha Dahiya to make false politically charged statements and add to the rumors.
All big publications carried the fake news:
Reportedly, social media platforms were abuzz on Wednesday with the news of wrestler Nisha Dahiya and his brother Suraj being murdered in Haryana. Several big news publications carried the news and it was insinuated both had indeed died when they were returning home from Sushil Kumar Wrestling Academy in Sonepat’s Halalpur.
The news of Dahiya’s death came at the back of the bronze medal she won in the 72kg weight class at the U23 World Wrestling Championships 2021, in Belgrade. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken to Twitter to congratulate the athlete by tweeting, “Congratulations to Shivani, Anju, Divya, Radhika and Nisha for winning medals at the Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. Their performance is special and will contribute to wrestling becoming even more popular across India.”
Congratulations to Shivani, Anju, Divya, Radhika and Nisha for winning medals at the Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. Their performance is special and will contribute to wrestling becoming even more popular across India. https://t.co/pI6aByu2ZB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2021
Thus, the news of her death quickly gained traction. However, as it turns out, reports of Nisha Dahiya’s death were baseless and misleading. After rumors of her death started doing rounds on the internet, the wrestler took to her Instagram account and shared a video in which she identified herself and asserted that she is currently in Haryana’s Gonda and is safe and well. “I am in Gonda to play senior nationals. I am alright. It’s a fake news. I am fine,” she said in the video.
Congress amplifying the fake news:
However, by then, the Congress machinery had done its shoddy job already. Congress leader Tehseen Poonawalla who is always hyperactive on social media platforms, took to Twitter rather instantly, to chastise PM Modi and Haryana CM.
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In the now deleted tweet, he wrote, “Hon’ble PM our national level wrestler #NishaDahiya who you tweeted about & her brother have been brutally shot dead in Sonepat’s Halalpur, #Haryana. We really hope you tweet about this & ensure justice for her. Also seek accountability from the Hon’ble CM Khattar ji.”
Similarly, Srinivas BV, National President, Indian Youth Congress tweeted, “Five days after winning a bronze medal at a world championship & few hours after receiving wishes from PM, Wrestler Nisha Dahiya, her brother is shot dead by assailants in BJP ruled Haryana today. RIP #NishaDahiya”
Not apologizing for spreading fake news:
However, after the real news came to light and both Congress leaders couldn’t peddle the propaganda anymore, they conveniently ignored the slander against the PM & Haryana CM.
Poonawalla tweeted, “Just learnt from @sneheshphilip that our star wrestler #NishaDahiya is safe and sound. This is great news. Thank you and let’s keep hoping and wishing for her long life, good health and success.”
Just learnt from @sneheshphilip that our star wrestler #NishaDahiya is safe and sound . This is great news. Thank you and let's keep hoping and wishing for her long life, good health and success. pic.twitter.com/cYbwU3W8sS
— Tehseen Poonawalla Official 🇮🇳 (@tehseenp) November 10, 2021
Meanwhile, Srinivas remarked, “It’s good to see wrestler #NishaDahiya is safe and well. Best wishes,”
It's good to see wrestler #NishaDahiya is safe and well. Best wishes 💐pic.twitter.com/QppvcYDALD
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) November 10, 2021
Meanwhile, the left lobby’s resident fake news peddlers – ThePrint and TheQuint still have not retracted their articles, as of this writing. However, it is hardly surprising, since peddling fake news to create spread panic has been a norm for such portals, since long.
Congress, in the entire episode, showcased that it is a party that entirely runs on the cacophony of social media. Rumors and false news are the fuel that is sustaining the supposed oldest party of the country. Their hatred for Prime Minister Modi has transcended to an extent that they can use the fake news of the death of an athlete to besmirch him.
In the heart of hearts, what was their wishful thinking? Of course, it was about the murder of the wrestler and her brother.