Fact Check: Edited video goes VIRAL as PM disrespecting national anthem

India celebrated its 80th Independence Day on August 15. In its aftermath, a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking and greeting people during the national anthem went viral on social media. An X user shared the video and wrote: “Narendra Modi has disrespected the National Anthem countless times, both in India and abroad. Andhbhakts: How are you going to defend this one?”India Today Fact Check found that the video has been edited. The original version of the clip does not feature the national anthem.OUR PROBEReverse-searching frames from the video led us to a longer version uploaded to PM Modi’s official YouTube channel on June 21, 2025. According to the channel, the video was from an event in Siwan, Bihar. This version did not feature the national anthem being played in the background. In fact, it features a woman's voice announcing the PM’s arrival and welcoming him. It shows Modi entering the stage with folded hands. He first greets the leaders on stage and then turns to greet the public gathered for the event.We also found the video shared by a YouTube account on August 4, 2025. This clip also features the woman's announcement, not the national anthem. We also found the full video of the event live-streamed on the official PM Modi and Government of India YouTube channels on June 20, 2025. We did not find the national anthem played during the entire event. The PM was in Siwan to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate development projects.According to a Business Standard report published on June 20, 2025, the PM laid the foundation stones for 28 development projects worth more than Rs 5,900 crore in Siwan. He also flagged off several initiatives, including the inauguration of a Vande Bharat Express between Patna and Gorakhpur.We also did not find any credible reports of the national anthem being disrespected during this event.Thus, we concluded that the viral video has been edited.- EndsPublished By: Pathikrit SanyalPublished On: Aug 17, 2026 21:48 IST