Fact check: Did cops distribute Tasbeehs after Uddhav took oath?

Mumbai: A popular writer followed by over 2 million people on Twitter, shared a video stating the state started witnessing secular activities as soon as Uddhav Thackeray took the oath as Maharashtra’s CM.

As expected the video went viral on social media after it was shared by Writer Madhu Kishwar on Sunday, 1 December, The Quint reports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2kkq_m2iLQ&feature=emb_title

The writer further claimed that the video is from Thane district’s Kausa Masjid located in Mumbra where police officers can be seen distributing tasbeehs (collection of beads) after people offered Friday prayers.

Truth exposed:

Giving the statement to a news source, an official in the Mumbra police station told there is nothing political or communal about the incident and that it was an exercise conducted as part of the Qaumi Ekta Week celebrations.

“This video was taken outside Kausa Masjid, where police officers were giving tasbeehs as part of Qaumi Ekta Week. This is not the first time that it is being celebrated… it’s been happening for years. It is celebrated to promote harmony among communities.”

The Thane City Police had also tweeted images from the Qaumi Ekta Week celebrations from its official handle on 25 November.

QAUMI EKTA WEEK CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR

The news source has also found through several releases by Press Information Bureau (PIB) the Qaumi Ekta Week (National Integration week) is observed every years from November 19 – 25 over the past several years to reinforce the spirit of communal harmony.

The video shared is misleading.