We all have been seeing this viral picture of a roadside ‘Panipuri’ seller since a few days on every social media network with every kind of falsified rumor possible. Let’s do a reality check on it before we give you the further details of the picture as informed by the actual photographer.
Rumors:
#1. He is an Indian national and was harassed because of the public’s anger with the Indian Government. FALSE
He is a Nepali who hails from Madhesh.
#2. This is a recent picture and he was harassed because of people’s frustration from the protests in Madhesh. FALSE
This is not a recent picture but five years old.
#3. This is not from Nepal. FALSE
This is from Kathmandu.
#4. This happened during the Earthquake. FALSE
This did not happen during the earthquake.
#5. Somebody did this to him. FALSE
He was not actually harassed or attacked by anybody. He had slipped on a wet road.
The Big Question: So how did this picture get viral?
On Wednesday, a media personnel from a reputed media house had posted this picture on his Facebook handle with the caption: “A picture of harassment of a Madheshi has been published on Facebook today. I had posted this picture with the title ‘Gari Khana Deu’ back then. It is enough to explain how a lower class Madheshi is treated in Kathmandu. However the situation is not the same these days and the changes on people’s mindset and behavior can be observed.”
Right after he posted this, some people posted this again with the falsified captions like a Madhesi or an Indian was harassed recently in Kathmandu, even after knowing the truth. Those posts were shared by hundreds of other people without even trying to know the truth. Then came the people who wanted to put the blame on earthquake and some even said that the picture is not from Nepal.
We had a phone conversation with the actual photographer of this picture. Suraj Kumar Khadka who is currently living in Birtamod, Jhapa had taken this picture from his cellphone in late 2010. In his own words, “I was walking near Old Baneshwor when I saw this ‘Panipuri’ seller who had slipped on the road and all his stuff had fallen. I had my phone right on my hand and so suddenly I happened to take the picture. I then helped him get up. We had a little conversation and he told me that he was from Birgunj. I am now shocked to see this picture all over social media with the wrong speculations. I would like to request you all not to believe in all those rumors. He was never attacked by anyone. One thing I would like to say is that no matter which corner of the nation we live in or come from, we all are Nepali. That’s what is important.”
Well, this is everything you need to know about this picture and we would like to request you all again that do not just share a post without actually being confident about its reality or unless it comes from a trustable source, especially during these crucial and sensitive times.
