Truck that caught fire in Unnao was not headed to Ayodhya Ram Mandir, says Alt News
misreport by Republic, NDTV, Mint et al
New Delhi: Ahead of the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, an image of a truck engulfed in fire has gone viral. Certain news reports claimed that a truck carrying fireworks had exploded and gone up in flames in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh.
Several media outlets such as NDTV, India Today, Business Standard, Republic, Mint, Lokmat Times, Brut India, Mirror Now covered the incident and reported that the truck was headed towards Ayodhya and was carrying items related to the ‘Ram Mandir’ Pran Pratishtha.
Fact Check
The Fact-check by Alt News has pointed out that the news reports mentioned that the truck caught fire in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. The Alt News report said, “We ran a relevant keyword search and came across a Times of India news report with the headline, 'Truck carrying fireworks from TN to Bahraich catches fire', which mentioned that the truck started from Tamil Nadu and was headed towards Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. The report, however, did not mention that the truck was carrying items related to the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.”
The Times of India report quoted circle officer, Purwa police station, Sonam Singh, as saying that a short circuit in the truck might have caused the fire. Alt News reached out to Singh to find out more about the incident. She reiterated the fact mentioned in the TOI report and confirmed that the truck was coming from Tamil Nadu and was headed towards Bahraich, and not Ayodhya, and that it was in no way related to the consecration ceremony. She also mentioned that the truck had been carrying fireworks and some articles made of paper.
The Alt News also came across a statement by Unnao Police shared on their official X page corroborating that the truck was heading to Bahraich and was carrying supplies for shops, such as fireworks, posters of actors, kids and also religious posters.
थाना पुरवा क्षेत्रांतर्गत ग्राम खरगीखेड़ा के पास एक ट्रक में आग लग जाने की घटना के संदर्भ में- @Uppolice pic.twitter.com/BzBH2zUzNC
— UNNAO POLICE (@unnaopolice) January 17, 2024
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Siddaramaiah, I will abide by Cong high command decision on leadership isssue, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision takeb by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
Speaking to reporters after returning from Delhi, the Congress state president said, he has full faith in the party leadership and that it would take an approapriate decision at the appropriate time.
The remarks comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in the Karnataka are announced.
"I will not speak about political issues before the media. I have already said that when the time comes you will get to know. So I will not tell you," Shivakumar said in response to a question on discussions with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit over the last couple of days.
He asserted that there are no issues within the party, and whatever has been already decided will take place accordingly.
Responding to a question on senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement about internal differences, the Deputy CM said, "nothing like that, they (high command) will do what they have to do at the appropriate time."
"There are no issues, we have faith in our party, they will do what they have to," he added.
Asked about the issue of leadership change as the government is about to complete three years in office, Shivakumar said, "... I have never discussed this issue. The CM and I have both said that we will accept whatever and whenever the high command decides, and we will abide by it."
He declined to comment when asked whether any "good news" can be expected by his birthday on May 15.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
Responding to a question on the BJP's criticism against the Congress government over its decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging injustice to several communities and questioning its intent behind the revised quota formula, Shivakumar said the BJP could not do anything on internal reservation while in power, but the Congress has kept its promise.
"We have found a solution and tried to do justice to all sections among SCs. We have fulfilled the promise made and every one should go together," he said.
Shivakumar warned his party workers against erecting flex banners for his birthday on May 15.
"For May 15, I want to tell everyone that no one should put up flex banners or advertisements for my birthday. If flex are installed I will ensure that cases are registered by authorities against those responsible, whether they are party workers or followers....no one should put such things on roads, this is my personal request," he said, adding that he has asked commissioners of the city corporations to register cases and impose heavy fines.
