Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary Amar Prasad Reddy reportedly received a death threat via email and sought immediate intervention from the state authorities.

Sharing a screenshot of the email, Reddy wrote on his X account on 19 February 2026, “I request @CMOTamilnadu and @tnpolice to take immediate action regarding the death threat issued against me and my family. This is not the first such incident. Previously, ISI and PFI markings were placed on my residence, and I had already filed a complaint about it. I expect swift and serious action to ensure our safety.”

I request @CMOTamilnadu and @tnpolice to take immediate action regarding the death threat issued against me and my family.

This is not the first such incident. Previously, ISI and PFI markings were placed on my residence, and I had already filed a complaint about it. I expect… pic.twitter.com/5NmFczWyPk

— APR (@amarprasadreddy) February 19, 2026

According to Reddy’s complaint, the threatening message alleged that Amar Prasad Reddy had been speaking against Muslims and warned of violent consequences. The email, sent under the name “Ibrahim Anwar,” reportedly threatened to behead the BJP leader, kill his family, and plant 2 kg of RDX explosives at his residence.

In the message, the sender claimed that Muslims in Tamil Nadu were being targeted by Hindutva activists and referred to a recent BJP-related event in Ranipet. The email stated that the BJP would be their “primary target” and warned that they would not allow anyone to speak against their community.

The sender further issued specific threats, claiming Amar Prasad Reddy’s head would be “publicly severed” and that his entire family would be killed to demonstrate the strength of their community. The message also described the threat of placing explosives at his home and framed it as a challenge to the Tamil Nadu Police.

Quick to dismiss this as ‘fake news’, alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, questioned why anyone, particularly a Muslim, would begin an email with ‘Insha Allah’. He replied to Reddy’s post on X saying, “Hello @CMOTamilnadu and @tnpolice, Please look into this email “threat to @amarprasadreddy avrgl”, Strangely, the screenshot shows the old Gmail logo, even though Gmail updated its logo back in 2020. Also who starts am email with “Insha Allah”. Hope the person behind this threat is arrested soon.”

Debunking the fake claims made by Zubair, Reddy shared a screen recording of his phone where he opened the email and printed it as PDF. In doing so, the output is as shared by Reddy in his post, thereby proving Zubair’s claims false.

Sharing the screen recording, Reddy wrote, “Hey fake news peddler @zoo_bear, Here is the proof of the threat I received from fundamentalists via email. It is shameful that this guy was conferred the Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award by the DMK Govt for “preventing violence through fact-checking.” Rewarding someone who delegitimizes genuine threats is a total mockery of our state’s highest honors.”

Hey fake news peddler @zoo_bear,

Here is the proof of the threat I received from fundamentalists via email.

It is shameful that this guy was conferred the Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award by the DMK Govt for “preventing violence through fact-checking.”

Rewarding someone… https://t.co/MbNiNqB2q8 pic.twitter.com/gVfJMPzJk3

— APR (@amarprasadreddy) February 19, 2026

Alleged fact-checker, in an attempt to prove his brethren were being targeted unnecessarily, got fact-checked himself.

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The post Alleged Fact-Checker Zubair Questions Authenticity Of Death Threat Email Received By BJP’s Amar Prasad Reddy, Gets Fact-Checked appeared first on The Commune.

Background Image Source: X

A woman journalist, Ruchi Tiwari, who was allegedly assaulted while covering a protest at Delhi University’s North Campus on Friday, 13 February 2026, has stated that she was attacked by a large mob and targeted over her caste identity while performing her professional duties.

Quick to justify her assault, alleged fact-checker shared video clippings of hers to ‘prove’ she wasn’t a journalist but ran a ‘propaganda’ YouTube channel.

What Happened

According to Tiwari, the situation escalated when members of the gathering began questioning her about her name and caste. Speaking to ANI, she said, “Video is everywhere, people can judge by themselves as to who provoked whom… I am a journalist who was there to cover the protest. One of the media personnel said my name to draw my attention. I went up to them, they then asked my full name and caste.”

She alleged that the confrontation quickly turned violent. “The entire crowd came towards me and attacked me. This is clear in the video. About 500 people attacked me. They just have fake narrations and fake allegations. The girls around me whispered rape threats in my ears just because I am a Brahmin; ‘aaj tu chal, tera nanga parade niklega,’ is what they said. The men around me were saying that they would teach me a lesson. The girls had held me by the arms and neck. This is an attempt to murder. I had fallen unconscious, but the Police did nothing,” she stated.

Tiwari further alleged that she was singled out because of her caste background and confirmed that an FIR has been registered in connection with the incident. She identifies herself as a ground reporter and runs a YouTube channel.

This third testis of @zoo_bear is at it again. Earlier he clipped that HDFC bank clip now this clip is also edited to show Ruchi Tiwari an aggressor while she was defending herself.
पूरा गैंग ही क्लिप कटवा है। pic.twitter.com/2jkXUBWhCa

— kanhabansri (@kanhabansri) February 14, 2026

Recalling the sequence of events, she said, “A boy there was signalling to others to take me away. Did they want to kidnap me?… My clothes were being torn… I was being improperly touched. They were goons, they cannot be students… I was attacked due to my caste. Nobody supported me, only a few Law Faculties showed humanity, and I came out with their help as well as with that of a few women Police personnel… FIR has been registered, I trust the law… The incident occurred for about half an hour… There was mob lynching there, I escaped somehow is a big deal for me.”

“They wanted to parade me naked. My clothes were torn. I was touched inappropriately. All this because I am a Brahmin.”

Spine chilling testimony of Ruchi Tiwari. Would those claiming she provoked the attack on her also justify Godhra riots as a reaction to 59 Hindus burnt alive? pic.twitter.com/pOb7Up8SxR

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) February 14, 2026

#WATCH | A woman journalist was seen being attacked during a pro-UGC protest in Delhi University yesterday.

ABVP Delhi State Secretary Sarthak Sharma says, “I would like to make a few things clear. The Left was protesting and a woman journalist, with a YouTube channel, was… pic.twitter.com/BqmKo88sGz

— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2026

Zubair Justifies Assault

Quoting the ANI video, alleged fact-checker and fake news spreader Mohammad Zubair wrote, “The woman ‘Ruchi Tiwari’ is not a journalist. She runs a propaganda YouTube channel. Here are a few old/new videos of her so called ‘interviews’…”

Ruchi Tiwari should be assaulted and molested because she is a YouTuber and not a Journalist?? pic.twitter.com/YvDCuXyKs8

— Darshan Pathak (@darshanpathak) February 14, 2026

Zubair seemingly suggested that Ruchi Tiwari should be assaulted and molested because she is a YouTuber and not a journalist.

Source: Economic Times

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The post Islamo-Leftist Alleged ‘Fact-Checker’ Zubair Justifies Assault On Journalist Ruchi Tiwari In Delhi University? appeared first on The Commune.

On 9 December 2025, alleged fact-checker and founder of “AltNews” Mohammed Zubair shared a 1.06-minute video showing a street vendor being “bullied” into apologising and “physically and mentally assaulted” near the Brigade Parade Ground. Now this video of his has gone viral, prompting sharp reactions online. Zubair described the incident as an unprovoked attack on a “poor street vendor selling chicken patties,” alleging that he was “slapped, abused, and had his food thrown away” by attendees of a religious event addressed by Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shastri in Kolkata.

A disturbed by an incident that took place recently at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground.
Programme was organised at Brigade Parade Ground by Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shastri. A poor street vendor selling chicken patties near the venue was physically and mentally assaulted by… pic.twitter.com/hx0lEPhxS5

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 9, 2025

However, netizens shared the longer version of the video which suggests additional context that was not mentioned in the initial post.

According to accounts shared by multiple eyewitnesses and local groups, the vendor identified as Sheikh Riyazul was reportedly questioned by a group of youths about whether the patties he was selling were vegetarian. Riyazul allegedly responded that the patties were “sabzi (vegetable)” patties. Those present claim that chicken pieces were later discovered inside the items, leading to a confrontation that escalated into violence.

LKFC Clipkatua @zoo_bear only showed video of chicken patties seller being beaten, not why he was beaten?

Name – Seikh Riyazul

Hindu youths first asked him is this veg?

Riyazul replied- yes, made using Sabzi (vegetables)

Later chicken chicken pieces were found.

Gita path… https://t.co/zH0o56bRA1 pic.twitter.com/OHfRbe3IUY

— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) December 10, 2025

The incident took place near the venue at a time when devotees were participating in a Gita Path recital in Kolkata, West Bengal, considered sacred by many attendees. Local sources said some participants felt deliberately misled and accused the vendor of selling non-vegetarian food while falsely labelling it as vegetarian.

The video clip posted by Zubair showed only the aftermath – the mob “assaulting” the vendor and throwing away his food but not the initial exchange regarding the patties.

The incident has reignited a larger debate about food labelling near religious gatherings, with some groups citing this as an example of why Kanwar Yatra organisers and other Hindu processions often demand that food stalls display the owner’s name and whether items sold are vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

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The post Alleged Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair Shares Clipped Video Claiming “Poor Vendor Assaulted For Selling Chicken Patties”, Extended Clip Shows Vendor Allegedly Lied About Selling Non-Veg Food appeared first on The Commune.

A post by alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair on Wednesday, 4 December 2025, generated controversy after he highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “lost 4 million followers” on X, without initially noting that the platform is conducting a large-scale purge of inactive and bot accounts affecting users globally.

Zubair wrote that Modi “lost 4 million (bots) followers,” and seemed to ignore that this was also the same for other public figures.

According to figures cited in his own thread, several international personalities also saw significant drops:

• Barack Obama: 11 million
• Justin Bieber: 18 million
• Katy Perry: 19 million
• Virat Kohli: 2 million
• Arvind Kejriwal: 1.1 million

X has confirmed that the platform is removing “inactive old accounts” as part of a system-wide clean-up.

Almost everyone had follower drop in last few days.

Kejriwal lost at least 1.1 Million
Kohli- 2 Million
Obama- 11 Million
Justin Bieber- 18 Million
Katy Perry- 19 Million

X is removing inactive old accounts. https://t.co/vBcyPoOLG9 pic.twitter.com/jZCHFuETbH

— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) December 4, 2025

Post Selectively Framed?

Several social media users accused Zubair of presenting the information in a way that singled out Modi before acknowledging similar drops across the board.

Communications researchers noted that the sequencing of the post, leading with Modi’s follower drop and describing them as “bots”, could mislead readers into assuming that the loss was unique to the Prime Minister or indicative of inflated follower metrics, despite the identical phenomenon occurring globally.

Analysts pointed out that other leaders, celebrities and athletes experienced even larger reductions, illustrating that the purge was platform-wide, not targeted.

X’s Global Purge of Dormant Accounts

The follower drops follow X’s ongoing policy of removing inactive, duplicate and spam-linked accounts to improve platform integrity. The company has carried out similar purges several times over the years, with high-profile accounts often losing millions of followers overnight.

Digital media observers say such clean-ups have no bearing on the popularity or engagement of users and affect accounts uniformly.

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Even as tensions rose at Thirupparankundram over the non-lighting of the court-mandated Deepathoon lamp, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair triggered fresh controversy by posting what critics say was a misleading “fact-check.” Zubair cited footage of the traditional Uchchipillaiyar lamp to claim the ritual had taken place, despite the High Court’s order applying specifically to the Deepathoon where the Deepam remained unlit.

India Today journo Akshita Nandagopal shared a video of the protests that took place following the non-compliance.

Protests break out at the Tiruparankundram hill temple in Madurai as the Deepam that was to be lit in the Deepathoon didn’t happen DESPITE the Madras HC order pic.twitter.com/jBiPtSwLzX

— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) December 3, 2025

Zubair Shares Broadcast Screenshot, Misleads Public

Amid reports of non-compliance and subsequent protests, Mohammed Zubair shared a screenshot of a Tamil news channel’s post showing the lamp lit at the Uchchipillaiyar Temple in response to India Today journo’s video of the protests. He implied that claims of non-lighting were “fake news” and that the ritual had indeed taken place.

However, critics pointed out that the screenshot Zubair shared depicted the traditional lamp, not the one mandated by the High Court at the Deepathoon. By omitting this distinction, his post suggested that protesters and commentators falsely claimed the ritual was not performed, when in reality they were referring to the court-directed second Deepam at a different location.

Multiple netizens called out his lie that created the impression that Hindu devotees had instigated chaos despite the lamp being lit when the specific Deepathoon lamp remained unlit in violation of the court order.

Pathetic liar. And for this you collect funds? https://t.co/u49zEGbryP

— ss (@ss301125) December 3, 2025

Look at this clown. He claims himself as fact checker and asks funds for it https://t.co/BjAkR3o2KB

— Parthiban (@parthispeaks) December 4, 2025

When you want to please your masters, even Marina beach gets shifted to Mumbai! https://t.co/kFZYqvA4GN

— Vignesh (@cviignesh) December 4, 2025

 Court’s Order vs. Social Media Narrative

The Madras High Court had instructed temple authorities to ensure that the Deepam was lit at the Deepathoon and even stated that if authorities failed to comply, the petitioner and ten others could light the lamp under CISF protection. As the directive was not carried out, devotees demanded enforcement, leading to clashes and the imposition of Section 144 in the area.

Zubair’s post obscured this context and reinforced a narrative suggesting that the protesters acted without basis.

Following Zubair’s post, several legal commentators, journalists and devotees accused him of misleading the public by conflating two separate ritual sites and misrepresenting the core issue that triggered the unrest.

They noted that the High Court’s direction was unambiguous:

• Lamp at the usual site (Uchchipillaiyar) → Already a tradition
• Lamp at the Deepathoon → Court-ordered and not performed

By circulating an image of the former, Zubair implied compliance where there was none.

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The post Alleged Fact-Checker & Islamist Mohammed Zubair Misleads Public On Thirupparankundram Deepam Row appeared first on The Commune.

Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Islamo-leftist propaganda rag Alt News, is facing intense criticism for sharing a deepfake video of Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi that falsely depicted him announcing a plan to reduce non-Hindu soldiers by 50% by 2028.

The video, which went viral on social media, lacked any AI watermark or contextual disclaimer, leading to accusations that Zubair deliberately amplified misinformation and incited communal tension.

The incident began when Zubair posted the video on X (formerly Twitter) on November 15, 2025, without any indication that it was AI-generated. The caption, which questioned whether the Army Chief had made such statements, further fueled the perception that the content was authentic.

This omission of critical context and the absence of an AI mark is being seen as a deliberate attempt to exploit the video’s potential to spread misinformation rapidly.

Prominent voices, including Major Gaurav Arya (Retd), have condemned Zubair for what they describe as a “reckless and dangerous” act.

Zubair’s failure to disclose the video’s fabricated nature from the outset was a calculated move to engage his audience and incite discord.

“This is not fact-checking; it’s misinformation with intent,” Arya stated, referencing Zubair’s history of controversies involving his fact-checking methods.

The video’s virality coincided with heightened global concerns about deepfake technology, particularly following recent demands by watchdog groups like Public Citizen for OpenAI to withdraw its AI video app Sora due to safety risks.

Alt News itself, later confirmed the video was a deepfake, but the damage had already been done. The absence of an AI mark or contextual disclaimer allowed the video to spread unchecked, exacerbating the problem of misinformation on social media, where fake news can disseminate faster than accurate information.

On the other hand, Alt News, widely cited among left-leaning circles as a “fact-checking” portal, has not renewed its International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) certification, which expired on 26 April 2020. Despite this, the website continues to present itself as a credible authority on misinformation, publishing content under the banner of “fact verification” while selectively targeting certain issues.

Zubair had recently spread misinformation against Doordarshan News (DD News) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, insinuating that the state broadcaster had advance knowledge of an NDA victory in Bihar.

Zubair, claimed that USAID’s $21 million voter turnout funding was meant for Bangladesh and not India are false, as official U.S. records show the funding was explicitly allocated for voter turnout efforts in India, exposing intentional misinformation.

Zubair is known for his notoriety in weaponizing an edited clip of a news panel discussion of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma. By isolating Sharma’s remarks and amplifying them across social media without the provocative context from other panelists, he single-handedly painted a target on her back for his Islamists gang.

The post Self-Styled ‘Fact-Checker’ Mohammed Zubair Shares Deepfake Video Of Indian Army Chief Without AI Mark Or Context Under The Garb Of ‘Fact-Check’ appeared first on The Commune.

As Phase 1 of the Bihar Assembly Election concluded with a record voter turnout of 64.66%, AltNews co-founder and alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair came under sharp criticism for allegedly spreading misinformation against Doordarshan News (DD News) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, insinuating that the state broadcaster had advance knowledge of an NDA victory.

PM Modi’s Post After Phase 1

Following the conclusion of voting, Prime Minister Modi posted on X: “In the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA has gained a massive lead. Along with this, its wave is visible everywhere in the second phase as well. Amid this enthusiasm of the public, tomorrow afternoon around 1:45 PM, I will have the good fortune to communicate with my family members in Aurangabad, and around 3:30 PM in Bhabhua.”

बिहार विधानसभा चुनावों में पहले चरण की वोटिंग में एनडीए ने भारी बढ़त हासिल कर ली है। इसके साथ ही दूसरे चरण में भी हर तरफ उसकी लहर नजर आ रही है। जनता-जनार्दन के इसी जोश के बीच कल दोपहर करीब 1:45 बजे औरंगाबाद और लगभग 3:30 बजे भभुआ में अपने परिवारजनों से संवाद का सौभाग्य प्राप्त…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2025

 The statement, typical of political leaders after polling, reflected optimism and confidence in the NDA’s performance.

DD News Relays PM’s Statement

DD News subsequently shared a verbatim Hindi translation of the Prime Minister’s post, repeating the same words about the NDA’s “lead” and the Prime Minister’s scheduled engagements. The tweet was clearly attributed to PM Modi and did not include any independent commentary or electoral analysis from the broadcaster.

What Zubair Posted

Shortly after, Mohammed Zubair posted a screenshot of DD News’ tweet, writing: “How does the national broadcaster @DDNewsHindi know that NDA is leading in the Bihar first phase?”

Zubair’s post implied that DD News possessed insider knowledge of the results, suggesting, without evidence, that the elections were “rigged” or that the broadcaster was complicit in manipulating public perception. Critics described this as an attempt to echo the “vote chori” (vote theft) narrative being circulated by sections of the opposition.

Fact Check

A review of the posts shows that DD News merely relayed PM Modi’s own tweet — word for word — without making any independent claims. The Prime Minister’s statement itself was a political assertion, not an official result or forecast. Political leaders, including opposition figures, routinely make such claims of confidence once voting concludes.

For instance, Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also took to X after Phase 1 to declare that a “wave of change” was sweeping Bihar in favor of the Mahagathbandhan. He wrote, “For the first time in 20 years, an unprecedented wave of change is visible in favor of the Mahagathbandhan.”

आज बिहार ने प्रथम चरण में बदलाव के लिए मतदान किया है। हर बिहारवासी ने 20 साल के अंधकार को मिटाने के लिए, घर से निकल कर परिवर्तन की ऐसी रोशनी जलाई कि पूरे बिहार में सुख, समृद्धि, सुरक्षा, सम्मान, सौहार्द, शांति और खुशहाली की दस्तक सुनाई देने लगी है।

20 साल में पहली बार इस तरह की… pic.twitter.com/keAttt0I5P

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) November 6, 2025

Observers noted that if a news channel had quoted Yadav’s statement, it would not imply that either the channel or the politician possessed pre-poll results. The same logic applies to DD News quoting PM Modi.

Zubair – Peddling Deliberate Misinformation

Zubair seems to want to manipulate the narrative by posting an English translation of DD News’ Hindi tweet — removing context and attribution — to make it appear as though DD News had independently declared an NDA lead. This misrepresentation seems to be designed to mislead English-speaking audiences and undermine public trust in the Election Commission and state media during an ongoing poll.

Pattern of Misleading Claims

Zubair has previously been accused of spreading misinformation and selectively targeting Hindu groups and government institutions under the guise of fact-checking. His past controversies include posts relating to Nupur Sharma’s televised remarks, where instead of addressing facts, he amplified outrage and personal attacks, leading to widespread threats against the former BJP spokesperson.

He has also been accused of distorting incidents in Mhow, Dharmasthala, and Kanwariya processions, and for allegedly whitewashing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Analysts have warned that such misleading narratives during an active election phase can harm public confidence in the electoral process. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently emphasized that political leaders are free to express confidence post-voting, as long as no polling data or exit polls are cited.

(Source: OpIndia)

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Friday, 31 October 2025, alleged that former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been allotted a “luxurious 7-star government mansion” in Chandigarh under the Punjab Chief Minister’s quota, dubbing it a new “Sheesh Mahal.”

In a post on X, Maliwal wrote, “After the Sheesh Mahal in Delhi became vacant, Arvind Kejriwal ji has had an even more splendid Sheesh Mahal built in Punjab than the one in Delhi. In Chandigarh’s Sector 2, a luxurious 7-star government mansion of 2 acres under the CM quota has been allotted to Arvind Kejriwal ji.”

Maliwal, who has been at odds with the AAP leadership since she accused one of Kejriwal’s aides of assault last year, further claimed that “the entire Punjab government is serving one man.” She alleged that Kejriwal used a government helicopter and private jet for party work, posting, “Yesterday, he boarded a government helicopter right from in front of his house for Ambala, and then from Ambala, the Punjab government’s private jet took him to Gujarat for party work. The entire Punjab government is engaged in serving one man.”

दिल्ली का शीश महल ख़ाली होने के बाद अरविंद केजरीवाल जी ने पंजाब में दिल्ली से भी शानदार शीश महल तैयार करवा लिया है।

चंडीगढ़ के सेक्टर 2 में CM कोटे की 2 Acre की आलीशान 7 स्टार सरकारी कोठी अरविंद केजरीवाल जी को मिल गई है।

कल अंबाला के लिए घर के सामने से सरकारी हेलीकॉप्टर में… pic.twitter.com/Vy1MfMGkt1

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) October 31, 2025

Earlier this month, the Delhi government confirmed plans to convert the former chief minister’s residence at 6, Flag Staff Road — dubbed “Sheesh Mahal” by critics — into a government guest house with an in-house cafeteria. Kejriwal’s residence had been a key issue in the BJP’s 2025 Delhi Assembly election campaign, which saw the party return to power in the national capital after 27 years, winning 48 of 70 seats. Kejriwal lost his New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma, while AAP secured 22 seats.

Following Maliwal’s post, Alt News co-founder and alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair responded on X, disputing her claims. “Hello @SwatiJaiHind, the Google map screenshot you are showing is of a building next to the Haryana Agricultural Minister’s office. Also, the building wasn’t built now but has been there for years. Here are Google images of that building from 2013-2024,” Zubair wrote. He further questioned the area estimate, stating, “Not sure how you got the figure of two acres. The empty land opposite the building is max 20,000 sq ft, not 2 acres (87,120 sq ft).”

Maliwal later hit back at Zubair, calling him a “so-called fact checker” who “worked overtime trying to prove that Chandigarh’s lavish bungalow being used by Kejriwal ji is some random building.” She added, “Do read this Indian Express report that exposes his fake propaganda! He should now delete his tweet and apologise for posting without research.”

So called fact checker @zoo_bear worked overtime trying to prove that the Chandigarh’s lavish bungalow being used by Kejriwal ji is some random building.

Do read this Indian Express report that exposes his FAKE PROPAGANDA!

He should now delete his tweet and apologise for… pic.twitter.com/SPZ110yEyp

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) November 1, 2025

 Neither the Punjab government nor AAP has issued an official statement on the controversy so far.

(Source: Money Control)

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Saleh Al-Jafarawi, a 27-year-old Palestinian influencer and ‘Pallywood actor’ widely known online as “Mr FAFO”, was reportedly killed on Sunday, 12 October 2025, amid violent clashes between Hamas and rival Palestinian factions in Gaza City. Jafarawi, who amassed over 6 million Instagram followers, became infamous for his staged videos during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including posing as a doctor, a wounded patient, a fighter, and a journalist.

Jafarawi was reportedly accompanying Hamas’s “Saham” unit during clashes with the Doghmosh clan in Gaza City when he was killed by unknown assailants. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. Palestinian-American activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib suggested multiple possibilities, including Hamas targeting him to seize his digital assets, retaliation by the Doghmosh clan, or anti-Hamas fighters acting against a known propagandist. Reports indicate that his body showed signs of torture.

The father of Palestinian journalist and activist Saleh Al-Jafarawi bid a heartbreaking farewell to his son. In emotional footage, he kneels beside Saleh’s body, praying and speaking heartfelt words as he says his final goodbye pic.twitter.com/85o2oJAcNb

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 12, 2025

 The death drew mixed reactions. Some Israelis cheered the news, describing him as a propagandist who incited anti-Israel sentiment.

It is noteworthy that Jafarawi celebrated the deadly October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

On October 7, as Israelis were being massacred and kidnapped, #MrFAFO (Saleh Jafarawi) posted this video, calling it the happiest day of his life

Today, the last day of the war, was also the last day of his life. He was killed earlier today.#MrFAFO was FAFO’ed. pic.twitter.com/R2s1kDfgfS

— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) October 12, 2025

In contrast, Mohammed Zubair, the alleged fact-checker, expressed grief on social media, writing: “For the past two years, Saleh Al-Jafarawi reported on the genocide of people in Palestine. Israel killed him now during the ‘ceasefire’. RIP Saleh.”

Critics accused him of spreading Hamas propaganda and of embezzling an estimated $10 million in donations intended to rebuild the Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital, with suspicions that funds were funneled to Hamas. In March 2025, he was accused by the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah of embezzling funds intended to rebuild Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital. Jafarawi launched a campaign claiming to raise $10 million, using the ministry’s logo and Kuwait Society for Relief branding. The ministry denied any involvement and warned against misuse of its name. The campaign, still active in March, drew outrage from Palestinians, with many accusing him of diverting funds to Hamas. Jafarawi was known for performing in staged propaganda videos, dubbed “Pallywood.”

Saleh Al Jafarawi, known online as “Mr. FAFO,” has been accused by the Palestinian Health Ministry of embezzling funds meant to rebuild Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital.

Many in Gaza suspect the money was funneled to Hamas.

The influencer, who had 6 million Instagram followers, has… pic.twitter.com/jqQbzPAfNE

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) March 13, 2025

Jafarawi’s notoriety stemmed from his performative videos, which many labeled “Pallywood”, staged content presenting dramatized conflict scenes. He “died” multiple times but came back alive over and over again. He played multiple roles – that of a reporter, a radiologist, a patient, MRI technician, singer, claimed his dad was on his death bed, blood donor,

“Known for documenting Gaza’s pain” he was a documented fckn pallywood clown!!! We have tons of receipts!

May he rest in camel piss! pic.twitter.com/ImrlsfX0Hr

— PEATHRUS (@PEATHRUS_X) October 12, 2025

At times, he even played the role of a cook.

Palestinian crisis actor Saleh Al-Jafarawi dubbed ‘Mr FAFO’ appears in a new video working as a chef and cooking food in Gaza.

He has previously posed as a:

• Radiologist
• Doctor
• Air Strike Victim
• Hospital Patient
• Journalist
• Tour Guide pic.twitter.com/BhP6j8htVf

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 11, 2024

Even the BBC aired his fake reporting.

(Thread) The devil works hard but Gaza’s “film” industry works harder.

Meet Saleh Aljafarawi, Hamas presenter, father, patient, singer, journalist and crisis actor.

He’s just one example of how Hamas is using social media to spread misinformation and shape false narratives… pic.twitter.com/1AWPDSY0uV

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) November 6, 2023

Se llama Saleh al-Jafarawi, le habréis visto como médico palestino, como pobre enfermo, como víctima de un bombardeo en Gaza, como reportero de guerra…
No os creáis nada de lo que veáis por ahí. Llevan décadas haciéndose las víctimas y saben hacerlo muy bien. Viven de ello. pic.twitter.com/ZcZnj1dPk7

— Bart0 (@Bart045603771) November 1, 2023

Following his death, even Instagram removed Saleh Al-Jafarawi’s account which had 4.5 million followers, and archived snapshots on the Wayback Machine appear disabled.

(Source: Times of India)

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The post Pallywood Actor Dies, Mohammed Zubair Cries appeared first on The Commune.

A series of serious allegations concerning foreign funding, editorial roles, and potential legal violations have emerged against alleged fact-checking website Alt News and individuals associated with it, centering on grants from a US-based foundation.

The controversy involves Mohammed Zubair, alleged fact-checker and co-founder of Alt News, who was reportedly sent to 14 days judicial custody by the Patiala House Court in New Delhi in July 2022 after his bail was rejected. Zubair faced (and continues to face) accusations of hurting religious sentiments, while the Delhi Police had also been investigating potential violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act – FCRA – regarding alleged receipt of funding from Pakistan, Syria, and other countries.

Cut to 2025, Zubair publicly challenged individuals to prove his involvement in foreign funding. In response, critics have presented evidence targeting two journalists linked to Alt News.

The Funding Allegations

Investigations reveal that Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh, a neuroscientist and author, and Sharfaroz Satani, from Boston, received a grant totaling ₹50 Lakh from the Thakur Family Foundations Inc, a USA-based organization. The foundation’s stated mission is working in public health and civil liberties.

Let me prove you foreign funding radical Zubair.

Your two journalists had received Rs.50 Lakh from the USA based Thakur family foundation.

Now prepare your self for playing victim card!

CC: @AdityaRajKaul https://t.co/z6PhSaZN7Q pic.twitter.com/SyalDkOh6o

— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) October 5, 2025

The Thakur Family Foundation Inc. is a United States 501(c)(3) organization founded by Dinesh Thakur and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. According to its profile on leftist institution Ashoka University, the Foundation “invests in capacity building for an empowered society through participative, socially-just governance.”

A look at the tax filings over the past few years indicate the grants received by Dr Sumaiya Shaikh and Sharfaroz Satani.

When netizens indicated this, Zubair claimed that the grant recipients were merely “contributors” and not Alt News employees, but evidence from 2019 shows Dr. Shaikh repeatedly identifying herself as the “editor of a fact-checking science portal.” Furthermore, screenshots from the Alt News website itself list her as an editor, specifically the “founding editor for Alt News Science” from 2017 to 2021.

Zubair has subsequently made conflicting statements, asserting that Dr. Shaikh is not an Indian citizen, was a contributor to Alt News rather than an employee, and that the grant from the Thakur Foundation was for her personal research, not for writing for Alt News.

Well, it is unclear how a founding editor became a “contributor” all of a sudden. A look at the Alt News profile of Sumaiya Shaikh shows us that she stopped “contributing” in 2021.

Another Alt News ‘Contributor’ Gets Foreign Funds To Write Articles

Another Alt News ‘contributor’ Sharfaroz Satani, reportedly received USD 5,907 (approximately ₹4.43 lakh) between 2020 and 2021 from the Thakur Family Foundation. When combined with the grant to Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh, the total amount comes to around ₹50 lakh. Since Alt News does not possess an FCRA licence, it is not permitted to accept foreign contributions directly — yet the funds appear to have reached the platform indirectly through its employees.

Hello @dir_ed @IncomeTaxIndia

One more Altnews fact checker, Sharfaroz Satani, received $5,907, equivalent to ₹ 4,43,000, during the years 2020 and 2021 from the Thakur Family Foundation.

The total amount is ₹ 50 lakh if we combine both fact checkers. Altnews does not have… https://t.co/s7jYPmQZbX pic.twitter.com/v85R8nGzrU

— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) September 20, 2025

In essence, the Pravda Foundation (under which Alt News functions) — despite not having an FCRA licence — seems unaware that its so-called “contributors” were penning pieces for Alt News while being bankrolled by a foreign NGO.

The Grant’s Purpose And Propaganda

Documentation from the Thakur Family Foundation’s website explicitly states the purpose of the award: “WE MADE AN AWARD TO NEUROSCIENTIST AND AUTHOR, DR. SUMAIYA SHAIKH, TO SUPPORT HER FACT-CHECKING CLAIMS RELATED TO EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE.”

There are also links to the specific articles produced under this grant on Alt News website. These articles, which were published on platforms associated with the individuals, are alleged ‘fact-checking’ pieces that apparently debunked various claims related to COVID-19. The articles include:

Debunking claims that Vitamin C and lemon-infused hot water can protect against coronavirus or cancer.

Addressing exaggerated effects of the “Janta curfew” as a 14-hour period to kill the coronavirus on surfaces.

Countering claims of genetic superiority of Indians in dealing with COVID-19.

Investigating the scientific basis of Patanjali’s Coronil as a cure for COVID-19.

Scrutinizing home remedies promoted by an Ayurvedic practitioner and the AYUSH ministry’s promotion of “immunity boosters” like Arsenicum Album 30 and Ayush Kwath.

Don’t spread lies. I am not your Namazi blind follower who believes in your propaganda!

She got grants to write propaganda fact-check articles for your website, not for research.

Here are the screenshots of the Thakur Family Foundation’s website, where it is clearly written… https://t.co/P5h7q6fOnK pic.twitter.com/v71vsUCuP4

— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) October 5, 2025

These articles extensively embedded links and referenced content from the Alt News website. Dr. Shaikh was also the founder of the Alt News Science website, further intertwining her work with the Alt News brand. Despite her claimed role as an editor and her use of a company email address, Zubair has maintained she was only a ‘contributor’.

It is noteworthy that Thakur Foundation is alleged to be a pharma lobbyist and all the articles written by Shaikh counter the natural medicine systems that provided medicines such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy during COVID-19 period.

Legal And Regulatory Questions

The situation raises significant legal and ethical questions. Questions are being raised whether Alt News is a news aggregator or a news publisher, and if foreign entities are legally permitted to control or influence the editorial policies of a news publishing platform in India.

Is @AltNews a news aggregator or news publisher? Are foreign entities allowed to control editorial policies of a news publishing platform? @MIB_India ?https://t.co/DqFdI8gNk3 https://t.co/7y6B5DH7Fk pic.twitter.com/fTcWz9D9fx

— Krish Sriram (@Ashvalayanam) October 6, 2025

The scale of the funding has also drawn attention. With a grant of ₹50 Lakh for a body of work that critics claim resulted in approximately 10 articles, it translates to an unprecedented ₹5 Lakh per article. Many on social media have questioned how many journalists or commentators, receive such high remuneration, suggesting possible FCRA violations and a conflict of interest.

So your contributors had received ₹50 lakh of foreign funding for writing only 10 to 15 propaganda articles on your website?

It’s also illegal even if they accept foreign funding to write articles for your website.

This is not a small amount. https://t.co/0CBsc0oNIS

— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) October 5, 2025

These allegations compound the existing legal challenges for Alt News. It was previously reported that Zubair attempted to destroy his phone at the time of his arrest, adding another layer of scrutiny to the organization’s operations

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The post Radical Leftist Propaganda Outlet Alt News Accused Of FCRA Violations, Zubair Labels Editor Sumaiya Shaikh A ‘Contributor’ After ₹50 Lakh Foreign Grant Gets Exposed appeared first on The Commune.