Hindus

Hindus are adherents of Hinduism, one of the oldest and most practiced religions globally, with significant cultural and historical roots in India and South Asia. Hinduism encompasses a diverse range of beliefs, rituals, and spiritual teachings, shaped by scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the Ramayana. Central concepts in Hinduism include dharma (righteousness), karma (action and consequence), moksha (liberation), and reincarnation. The religion is polytheistic, with a vast array of deities, including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, and Durga, who are worshipped in various forms and festivals.

Hindus celebrate numerous festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Ganesh Chaturthi, which play a vital role in the cultural and social life of Hindu communities. Hinduism also emphasizes the importance of rituals, pilgrimages, and temple worship as expressions of faith and devotion.

Misinformation involving Hindus often arises during communal tensions, elections, or social conflicts, particularly in India. Misleading claims about attacks on temples, demographic changes, or interfaith violence can spread rapidly, leading to communal unrest.

In March 2018, BOOM fact-checked two unrelated videos that were shared together to falsely claim that Muslims attacked a Hindu temple in Ranipura, Rajasthan.

BOOM found that the videos were not related and were misrepresented to create a false narrative of communal violence.