Footage shows BJP activists scuffling with police, not vandals attacking Nupur Sharma's house

The video circulated in Muslim-majority Bangladesh on Facebook here on June 12, 2022.

"Praise be to God. The house of Nupur Sharma, the woman who insulted our dearest Prophet, has been vandalised by Indian people," reads the Bengali-language caption.

The video has been viewed more than 21,000 times.

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Screenshot of the misleading post, captured on June 29, 2022

Sharma had previously forged a reputation as the firebrand mouthpiece of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

But she was suspended from the party after her controversial comments about the Prophet Mohammed's relationship with his youngest wife sparked outrage from the Islamic world and a diplomatic furore.

The video was also shared elsewhere on Facebook here and here alongside the claim it showed vandals at Sharma's home.

However, the claim is false.

Collector's office protest

A combination of keyword and reverse image searches led to a video published on YouTube here by Indian broadcaster Odisha TV on January 6, 2022.

The YouTube video's headline reads: "BJP Workers And Police Clash Outside Bhadrak Collector Office".

The Collector is an administrative officer who represents the state government at the district level, and is responsible for collecting revenues and maintaining law and order.

Bhadrak is a city in India's eastern Odisha state.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the video used in the misleading Facebook post (left) and the video broadcast by local media (right):

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Screenshot comparison of the video used in the misleading Facebook post (left) and the video broadcast by local media (right)

Odisha TV also used the footage here in another report.

"As many as eight members of the Bhadrak district unit BJP were arrested on Friday for their alleged involvement in the scuffle with police personnel outside the district Collector’s office", a report about the incident on Odisha TV’s website in part reads.

A report in the local Prameya newspaper quoted police superintendent Charan Singh Meena as saying: "The incident took place during a rally and action will be taken against the guilty as per law.

"Security arrangements at the Collector’s office were adequate. However, those who barged into the premises will be booked."

Although there have been reports that Sharma has received death threats, as of June 29, AFP found no official reports her house had been targeted by vandals.