By: Ranjini K
September 9 2022
Misleading: An Ambulance was made to wait in traffic to make way for Amit Shah's convoy in Mumbai.
Share Article:
Fact-Check
The Verdict Misleading
Mumbai Traffic Police clarified that the ambulance was not carrying a patient and that the siren didn't switch off due to a technical glitch.
Claim ID 1c086c46
Context:
On September 4, 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah began a two-day Mumbai visit to inaugurate a school in Powai, visit the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal, and meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, The Hindu reported.
Soon after Shah's visit, a video started making rounds showing an ambulance held up in traffic to make way for the Home Minister's convoy. One such video was posted by Twitter user Anand N Ingle, with a caption saying, "Yesterday in Mumbai, During the Movement of the VVIP Convoy, An Ambulance Was Asked to Wait So that Convoy Could Pass by! Video rcvd (received) via WA (WhatsApp)". Another Twitter user, @TamilRatsaschi, said, "An ambulance carrying a seriously ill patient was made to wait forcibly in Mumbai just cause (because) Amit Shah's convoy was passing. Sumakatha uncle will now tweet a Smiley in response".
Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai also tweeted the incident. "Ambulance kept waiting for VVIP cavalcade in Mumbai: Absolutely Shocking! Thank you for sharing this, @anand_ingle89. Where are all those who would shout and scream at VVIP privilege till a few years ago?" The incident was followed by criticism and backlash at the home minister, with people pointing fingers at VVIP privilege.
However, after the police launched an inquiry, it was found the claims were not valid.
In fact:
On September 7, 2022, Mumbai Traffic Police tweeted that it was a false allegation. "After due inquiry conducted, it has been verified by the traffic official at the spot that there was no emergency patient in the ambulance & due to a defect, the ambulance van driver was unable to switch off the siren," the tweet read.
Sardesai later clarified that it was a misunderstanding and that the ambulance's siren didn't go off due to a technical issue.
The verdict:
Based on the clarification by the Mumbai Traffic Police, it is clear that though the ambulance was made to wait for Amit Shah's convoy to pass; however, the ambulance was not carrying a patient. Therefore, we have marked the claim as false.