The Indian Army late on Sunday night labelled as fake a viral video that features a man dressed as a soldier accusing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of not allowing the military to conduct rescue operations in Chengannur.
The video, which started going viral on Saturday, shows a man in military fatigues questioning Vijayan for allegedly “delaying” calling the military for rescue operations in Chengannur, one of the areas that was worst affected by the floods. The man asks whether Vijayan was influenced by Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the secretary of the state CPI(M). The man pleads with Vijayan to allow the military for operations in Chengannur and warns the chief minister would be held accountable if he didn't act.
The 'soldier's video' was prominently shared from the Facebook handle of 'Bharatiya Mahila Morcha Thalassery mandalam' from where it was shared over 28,000 times. It was also uploaded on Twitter and and other social media platforms.
On Sunday night, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army informed on Twitter and Facebook that the man in the viral video was an impostor. “Imposter wearing Army combat uniform in video spreading disinformation about rescue & relief efforts. Every effort by all & #IndianArmy is aimed to overcome this terrifying human tragedy. Forward disinformation about #IndianArmy on WhatsApp +917290028579,” the ADGPI's handle said.
The incident highlights concerns about how misinformation on social media could affect the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Kerala. After the flooding increased in intensity last week, some right-wing social media handles tweeted that issues like the popularity of beef in Kerala and the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on allowing women's entry into Sabarimala had led to the state incurring divine wrath. There have also been viral audio and video messages against the ongoing rescue and relief operations.