Protests erupted across India following a controversial Supreme Court ruling in November 2025 that environmentalists argue could jeopardize the ecologically significant Aravalli hills. The ruling potentially opens areas previously protected from mining. Amid this unrest, a video circulated widely on social media falsely claiming to depict one of the demonstrations. In reality, the footage was recorded during a community meeting in January 2025, months before the court’s decision.
The viral video, shared alongside a post in Hindi with the message “A crowd of millions to save the Aravalli hills! There is strength in unity,” has misled many into believing it was part of the protests. It includes the hashtag “Save Aravalli” and shows a large gathering. The Supreme Court’s ruling altered the definition of the Aravalli hills, excluding areas under 100 meters (328 feet) in altitude from legal protections against mining activities. This change raised alarms among environmental advocates, who fear it may expose lower hills, essential for maintaining ecological balance, to mining and construction activities.
According to the Asian News International (ANI), the government defended the ruling, asserting that it aims to standardize regulations and enhance environmental protections rather than diminish them. The court responded to the backlash by staying its own order on December 29, 2025, and established an expert panel to examine the ecological implications of the ruling.
The misleading video gained traction on platforms such as Facebook and X, prompting further investigation. A reverse image search traced it back to a report by local media outlet News18, which originally published the footage on January 28, 2025. The video captures a local gathering, known as a mahapanchayat, which took place in a village in Rajasthan. It focused on resolving a dispute between two families regarding a canceled wedding ceremony, attracting between 12,000 and 13,000 attendees.
Amit Meena, a local resident who participated in the January meeting, clarified in a phone interview with AFP on December 24 that the video is not related to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Aravalli hills. He emphasized that no protests occurred in their village and that the community meeting was organized at a wrestling ground.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation in the digital age, particularly concerning important socio-environmental issues. AFP has previously debunked numerous instances where images and videos of large gatherings were misrepresented in the context of political and social unrest. As the situation regarding the Aravalli hills continues to unfold, the importance of accurate information remains crucial for public understanding and engagement.
