The world’s largest cricket stadium in Motera in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was renamed Narendra Modi Stadium and inaugurated on February 24 by President Ram Nath Kovind. The renaming of the stadium to Prime Minister Modi surprised many and raised several political eyebrows. The stadium also hosted its first international match, between India and England, on the day of the inauguration.
In this context, a video showing a group of cricket fans claiming not to be allowed to fly the Indian national flag inside Motera Stadium is viral on social media. It is said that the Tricolor was banned in the stadium named after the PM.
The caption in Hindi on one such video translates as: “Cricket fans angry over ban on national flag entry in Modi Stadium …”
India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) found the allegation along with the video misleading. Gujarat Cricket Association has confirmed to us that there is no ban on the Tricolor in Narendra Modi Stadium. Flags were even allowed during the game on February 24th.
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AFWA PROBE
While researching the video, we noticed the logo of VTV, a digital publication based on Gujarat on the video in question. The logo of VTV News is also visible on the microphone held by the anchor in the video. Using a keyword search, we found a longer version of the same video uploaded VTV’s YouTube channel on February 24, 2021.
We also have a text report by VTV carrying a screen of the same video in circulation.
According to the report, a group of cricket fans who reached Narendra Modi Stadium to watch its first Test match on February 24 were disappointed after being denied entry. However, the report does not contain any further details regarding the issues.
After that, we reached out to the VTV office in Ahmedabad for better clarity on the matter. VEND sports reporter Narendra Rathod, who was present at Narendra Modi Stadium during the recording of the video in question, confirmed to AFWA that although the Indian flags were initially stopped by some security officials for security reasons, they were later allowed.
‘It is true that there was a small riot in front of the Motera stadium after some security officers at the main gate denied access to Indian flags in the stadium. They did so with reference to safety reasons. made it clear that the flagpoles / rods, although the flag can be taken inside, must be kept outside. “The issue was therefore resolved, and everyone carried their flags inside for the match,” Rathod explained.
AFWA also spoke to Anil Patel, Joint Secretary, Gujarat Cricket Association. On the viral allegation regarding the ban on Indian flags in the new stadium, Anil said: ‘There is no ban on any national flag in the Narendra Modi Stadium. We allowed flags and banners in the stadium for the February 24 match, but for security reasons, we cannot allow heavy pipes or sticks that are normally attached to the flags. Such sticks can hurt someone, so it is only a precaution. “
We also spoke to a few cricket fans who attended the test match on 24 February at Narendra Modi Stadium.
“There was no restriction on the access of the Tiranga to the stadium. Security officers asked us to remove the sticks from the flags before they entered the ground. During the game we could see people waving flags, and it was ” a wonderful experience inside new stadium, ”said Partha Dharmendra Bhatt, a businessman from Ahmedabad, who went to see the first international match in the newly renovated Narendra Modi Stadium.
Jayesh Chauhan, who works with VTV, also attended the game on February 24 with his friends. Jayesh also confirmed to us that although there was initial confusion between the security personnel and fans, the issue was later resolved by senior officers, and the flags were allowed inside.
We also found that Indian national flags are being waved by the audience in a February 24 video posted by BCCI on the video Official Website.
The claim that the Indian national flag is banned in the newly inaugurated Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is therefore misleading.
ClaimThe video shows angry cricket fans after the Indian national flag was banned at the newly inaugurated Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. ClosureGujarat Cricket Association has confirmed to AFWA that there is no ban on the Tricolor inside Narendra Modi Stadium. Not for flag, but for flagpoles / poles for safety reasons, they should be kept outside.
JHOOTH BOLE KAUVA KAATE
The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.
- 1 Crow: Half true
- 2 crows: mostly lies
- 3 crows: absolutely false
