#FactCheck -Old Salman Khan Video Falsely Linked to Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation
Executive Summary
Following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25, 2026, after protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, a video of Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been widely shared on social media. In the clip, Salman is heard saying, “Kyunki is desh aur desh ki janta mein hai bada dum” (“Because this country and its people are truly strong”). Social media users have falsely claimed that the actor made the statement in response to Pradhan’s resignation. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral video is not recent. It dates back to October 2022, when Salman Khan congratulated actor Chiranjeevi on the release of his film GodFather. Salman Khan did not make any such statement following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The viral claim is false.
Claim
An Instagram user, 'snatani_9', shared a video on July 27, 2026, claiming it showed Salman Khan reacting to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
“Where were these people during the Pahalgam attack? Where were they during Pulwama? Can any chamcha answer? Salman Khan’s big statement on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.”
In the viral clip, Salman Khan is heard saying:“Kyunki is desh aur desh ki janta mein hai bada dum. Vande Mataram.”
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbTfYjjz3_f/
https://perma.cc/F2XF-G268?type=standard
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and performed a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search led us to a longer version of the same video uploaded on October 5, 2022, on Salman Khan’s official Instagram account, @beingsalmankhan.
In the original video, Salman Khan is congratulating veteran actor Chiranjeevi on the success of his film GodFather. He says, “My dear Chiru Garu, I love you very much. I have heard that GodFather is doing extremely well. Congratulations and may God bless you. Do you know why, Chiru Garu? Because this country and its people are truly strong.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjVhqZbgFJh
As part of our research , we also reviewed Salman Khan’s recent Instagram posts. We found a post published on July 23, 2026, in which he appealed to students and their parents amid the paper leak controversy. In the post, he urged students not to worry, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would ensure strict action against those responsible, and appealed to protesters to return home peacefully.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DbI2C8CoUSa
However, none of Salman Khan’s recent posts contain any statement linking him to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is from October 2022, when Salman Khan congratulated Chiranjeevi on the success of GodFather. The clip has been taken out of context and falsely linked to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation in July 2026. Salman Khan did not make any such statement after the minister stepped down. Therefore, the viral claim is false.
Related Blogs
Introduction
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) changed course just 48 hours after the directive dated December 1, 2025, sparked controversy. On December 3, 2025, the department publicly reversed its directive to smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app starting in March of the following year. The withdrawal marked the ending of a tumultuous, quick-paced event that highlighted how dynamic digital policy can be in a democracy.
The DoT explained its move in calculated terms. The government said that the first mandate was no longer necessary due to an abrupt increase in voluntary app downloads brought on by the public furore. The agency stated , “The mandate to install the app was meant to accelerate the process because the number of users has been growing rapidly.”
The app in question is not new. When it was first introduced in 2023, it was intended to be a public safety where people could report suspicious calls, identify numbers registered in their name, block stolen devices using their IMEI, confirm the authenticity of their handset, and report fraudulent international calls that were disguised as Indian numbers. The platform has quietly expanded over the past two years with features like utilities to check mobile connections, as well as Chakshu for reporting fraud. When used freely, it has helped numerous people in navigating the increasingly complex web of online scams.
Balancing Protection and Personal Freedom
In India, there isn’t much precedent for requiring all phones to have a certain government backed app installed. While operators supported TRAI’s DND app in 2018 and emergency numbers were integrated during the pandemic, they did not go into the territory of compulsory pre-installation.
Legal experts have time and again pointed out that although the government can control telecommunications for security reasons, any mandatory action pertaining to personal devices may be subject to constitutional review under the right to privacy, as stated in the Puttaswamy ruling. Not because the app is flawed in and of itself, but rather because every transition from voluntary adoption to mandatory compliance necessitates a higher standard of necessity, proportionality, and protections.
The Pulse of the Policy
The DoT’s stated rationale was clear: fake, duplicated or spoofed IMEIs represent a major cyber-security threat. India currently faces some of the world’s highest levels of SIM misuse, digital impersonation, online extortion, and device cloning crimes. Even a small fraction of compromised devices can do great harm in a nation with over a billion active mobile users.
The DoT’s AI and Digital Intelligence Unit, a small seven-person team in charge of SIM security, fighting illicit telecom setups, and collaborating with financial regulators on quickly changing fraud patterns, issued the Sanchar Saathi directive as part of a larger set of security-focused measures. One order required platforms such as WhatsApp to make sure that web sessions were terminated after six hours and that accounts only functioned when the registered SIM card was present in the device.
When taken as a whole, these orders indicate a clear strategic goal, the government is working to close systemic gaps that organised crime, particularly identity theft and device-level fraud, exploits. However, they also highlight the complex relationship between public opinion and security requirements. The government’s quick reversal in the Sanchar Saathi case demonstrated a crucial realization: digital safety mechanisms can only be effective when people feel educated, valued, and in charge.
CyberPeace Perspective & The Middle Path
CyberPeace stated that whenever a digital tool comes into contact with identity, data, or mobile access, public concern is inevitable. However, it is also emphasised that Sanchar Saathi is not a surveillance tool, instead can empower citizens.
Even with the rolled back mandate, it is reaffirmed that cornerstones of digital trust are accountability, openness, audits, and unambiguous permissions. India can maintain both safety and rights through responsible implementation, ethical design, and open communication.
References
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/what-is-the-sanchar-saathi-app-why-is-the-government-mandating-its-pre-installation/article70350322.ece
- https://theprint.in/opinion/sharp-edge/sanchar-saathi-app-modi-govt/2797917/
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2198110®=3&lang=2
- https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/SancharSaathiDocuments/ImportantDocuments/DoT%20issues%20directions%20for%20pre-installation%20of%20Sanchar%20Saathi%20App%20in%20mobile%20handsets%20to%20verify%20the%20genuineness%20of%20mobile%20handsets.pdf
- https://cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/sanchar-saathi-portal-a-solution-for-mobile-phone-theft-and-data-protection
- https://cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/chakshu-and-dip-shielding-citizens-from-online-frauds
- https://cyberpeace.org/resources/blogs/financial-risk-indicator-launched-by-dot-to-strengthen-cybersecurity
Introduction
The Kerala High Court banned the use of mobile phones during office hours on the 2nd of December 2024, and issued an Official Memorandum titled, ‘Indulgence In Online Gaming And Watching Social Media Content During Office Hours’. This memorandum, issued by the Registrar General, prohibits mobile phone usage for personal activities such as gaming and social media during working hours. This memorandum aims to curb the productivity woes and reinforce professional discipline and further ensure the smooth functioning of the office operations.
The memorandum reiterated its earlier notices from 2009 and 2013, where the High Court had emphasised that violations would be taken seriously. This reflects the High Court’s commitment to maintaining efficiency and professionalism in the workplace. According to the memorandum, controlling officers will monitor the staff for violations and strict actions will be taken if the rules are flouted.
Background
The circumstances that led to the Kerala HC’s decision are as follows: staff engaged in playing online games, browsing social media, watching videos or movies and even engaging in online shopping or trading during work hours, excluding the allocated lunch recess (as per the memorandum).
As mentioned earlier, this memorandum is not the first of its kind. There were similar directives that were issued in 2009 and 2013 to target the poor productivity standards, rooted in the staff members' behaviours. The present memorandum is unlike the previously mentioned ones as, it specifically addresses the rise in mobile-based distractions, like online gaming and trading. The present directive does not outline any exceptions to senior officials with designated responsibilities, and emphasises universal adherence for all levels of the workforce.
According to Cell Phones at Workplace Statistics, around 97% of workers use their smartphones during work hours, mixing personal and job-related activities. And more than 55% of managers say that cell phones are a major reason for lower productivity among employees.
Therefore, it can be safely concluded that even though smartphones have become indispensable tools for communication, their misuse has wider implications for overall organisational productivity.
CyberPeace Outlook
The Kerala High Court's decision to restrict personal mobile phone usage during work hours underscores the importance of fostering a disciplined and focused workplace environment. While smartphones are vital for communication, their misuse poses significant productivity challenges. Some proactive steps that employers can take are implementing clear policies, conducting regular training sessions and promoting a culture of accountability. Balancing digital freedom and professional responsibility is the key to ensuring that technological tools serve as enablers of efficiency rather than distractions in the workplace.
References
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/kerala-high-court-issues-memo-banning-staff-from-gaming-and-social-media-during-work-hours/article68963949.ece
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/kerala-high-court-bans-mobile-gaming-and-social-media-for-staff-during-work-hours/articleshow/116101149.cms
- https://images.assettype.com/barandbench/2024-12-05/1hiq8ffv/Kerala_High_Court_OM.pdf
- https://www.coolest-gadgets.com/cell-phones-at-workplace-statistics/
Executive Summary:
An old video dated 2023 showing the arrest of a Bangladeshi migrant for murdering a Polish woman has been going viral massively on social media claiming that he is an Indian national. This viral video was fact checked and debunked.
Claim:
The video circulating on social media alleges that an Indian migrant was arrested in Greece for assaulting a young Christian girl. It has been shared with narratives maligning Indian migrants. The post was first shared on Facebook by an account known as “Voices of hope” and has been shared in the report as well.
Facts:
The CyberPeace Research team has utilized Google Image Search to find the original source of the claim. Upon searching we find the original news report published by Greek City Times in June 2023.
The person arrested in the video clip is a Bangladeshi migrant and not of Indian origin. CyberPeace Research Team assessed the available police reports and other verifiable sources to confirm that the arrested person is Bangladeshi.
The video has been dated 2023, relating to a case that occurred in Poland and relates to absolutely nothing about India migrants.
Neither the Polish government nor authorized news agency outlets reported Indian citizens for the controversy in question.
Conclusion:
The viral video falsely implicating an Indian migrant in a Polish woman’s murder is misleading. The accused is a Bangladeshi migrant, and the incident has been misrepresented to spread misinformation. This highlights the importance of verifying such claims to prevent the spread of xenophobia and false narratives.
- Claim: Video shows an Indian immigrant being arrested in Greece for allegedly assaulting a young Christian girl.
- Claimed On: X (Formerly Known As Twitter) and Facebook.
- Fact Check: Misleading.
