Punjab

Punjab is a state in Northwestern India, sharing a border with Pakistan. The capital city is Chandigarh, which it shares with the neighboring state of Haryana. Punjab is known as the Land of the Five Rivers (Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej), a reference to the rivers that once flowed through the region, making it one of the most fertile areas in the country. It is renowned for its vibrant culture, rich history, and significant contributions to agriculture, being a leader in India's Green Revolution.

Punjab has a diverse history, marked by the rise of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century, the struggle for Indian independence, and the traumatic Partition of India in 1947, which led to massive population displacements. The state is the heartland of the Sikh community, with Sikhism originating in the region. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the most sacred sites for Sikhs and a major tourist attraction.

In recent years, Punjab's politics have been shaped by issues like agricultural reforms, unemployment, drug addiction, and law and order. The state has witnessed major protests, particularly during the Farmers' Protest of 2020-2021, when farmers from Punjab and neighboring states rallied against three central farm laws, demanding their repeal.

Punjab’s political landscape is dominated by parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). In the 2022 state elections, the Aam Aadmi Party won a historic victory, with Bhagwant Mann becoming the Chief Minister.

In June 2019, BOOM fact-checked a viral video that showed two men brutally attacking a woman. 

BOOM confirmed that the video was misrepresented, debunking the misleading claim. The video was falsely linked to the BJP and the Modi government, while the main accused were identified as brothers of a Punjab Congress councilor.