DigitEye India Fact Checkers
A video of an ordinary blast of an air-conditioner has been shared on social media showing some people carrying an injured person out of a jewellery shop in Ballari, Karnataka. The claim says that there was a bomb blast at the jewellery shop. The caption reads:
“कर्नाटका के बेल्लारी में कल्याण ज्वैलर्स के शोरूम में 💥ब्लास्ट💥 कई जख्मी… कुछ की हालत गंभीर ✍️ सोते रहो हिन्दुओं…. अगला नंबर तुम्हारा..” [Translated it reads: “In Bellary, Karnataka
💥 Blast in Kalyan Jewelers showroom 💥 Many injured… some in critical condition ✍️ Keep sleeping Hindus…. your turn is next…”
कर्नाटका के बेल्लारी में
कल्याण ज्वैलर्स के शोरूम में 💥ब्लास्ट💥कई जख्मी… कुछ की हालत गंभीर ✍️
सोते रहो हिन्दुओं…. अगला नंबर तुम्हारा.. pic.twitter.com/lFjixRXSsn
— अखण्ड भारत हिन्दू राष्ट्र(मोदी का परिवार) (@shailen28430845) May 3, 2024
कर्नाटका के बेल्लारी में
कल्याण ज्वैलर्स के शोरूम में 💥ब्लास्ट💥कई जख्मी… कुछ की हालत गंभीर ✍️
सोते रहो हिन्दुओं…. अगला नंबर तुम्हारा.. pic.twitter.com/lFjixRXSsn
— अखण्ड भारत हिन्दू राष्ट्र(मोदी का परिवार) (@shailen28430845) May 3, 2024
It has generated wider debate on social media, wondering why Opposition-ruled states witness such incidents. It’s been shared with a communal angle here and here.
Since Karnataka capital Bengaluru witnessed a bomb blast at Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1, 2024, there was a widespread misconception among the people in the state.
One X user wrote: “भगत,ये बम ब्लास्ट विपक्षी राज्यों, जब बीजेपी विपक्ष में होती है, तभी क्यों होते हैं? दया कुछ तो गड़बड़ है, बीजेपी,संघ और इसके संगठनों की जांच करो, कम आन, क्विक 4 जून से पहले रिपोर्ट टेबिल पर होनी चाहिए जनता का शक सही है क्या?” [Translated it reads:”Bhagat, these bomb blasts are in opposition states, When BJP is in opposition, Then why does it happen? Daya, something is wrong, investigate BJP, RSS and its organizations, come on, quick. The report should be on the table before June 4. Is the public’s suspicion correct?”
FACT CHECK
Digiteye India checked the authenticity of the incident calling some residents of Ballari (Bellary), who confirmed that the explosion was not a bomb blast but an air-conditioner that gave in while refuelling gas. They cited the police clarification, which we could trace to the Karnataka Police’s X handle. The Karnataka Police has clarified that the incident was due to a air conditioner’s gas explosion and ruled out any bomb blast as claimed. “The cause was an air conditioner gas explosion, and Ballari police have already visited, and an investigation is continuing. Don’t spread rumours and don’t listen to rumours,” reads the tweet.
The cause was an air conditioner gas explosion, and @BallariSp has already visited, and an investigation is continuing.
Don’t spread rumors and don’t listen to rumours,https://t.co/16ANMApSRU
— ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ Karnataka State Police (@KarnatakaCops) May 3, 2024
The incident was also reported by ETV Bharat. The report said that the air conditioner exploded at the jewellery showroom during the gas-refilling process. Hence, the claim that the blast was due to a bomb blast aimed at Hindus was false and tweaked with a communal angle to create fear among the people.
Claim: “In Bellary, many were injured in a blast at Kalyan Jewellers’ showroom… Keep sleeping Hindus, your turn is next.”
Conclusion: The claim is false. The blast occurred when the airconditioner’s gas was being refilled, not by a bomb.
Rating: Misrepresentation — 
