A picture of a mass running event in Ethiopia was misrepresented online as a rally in India’s capital staged by supporters of a jailed opposition leader in March 2024. The image surfaced with the false claim as thousands took to the streets of Delhi to protest the detention of Arvind Kejriwal, a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s upcoming national elections.
The picture, showing a long stretch of an avenue filled with a massive crowd, was shared on social media platform X on March 31.
It surfaced the same day supporters of Kejriwal, Delhi’s chief minister, rallied in the capital to protest his arrest in connection with a long-running corruption probe, allegations he has denied.
His supporters said the arrest was aimed at sidelining challengers to Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the marathon six-week national elections beginning April 19.
The post falsely claimed the picture showed a rally for Kejriwal in the Ramlila Maidan public ground at the capital.
“Scenes outside Ram Lilla Maidan at 12 PM Today. Sea of Yellow Army marching towards Ramlilla Maidan in support of Arvind Kejriwal at INDIA Rally. BJP shivering,” it said.