Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh (UP), located in northern India, is the country’s most populous state, with over 200 million residents as of 2023. It covers a total area of about 243,286 square kilometers, making it the fourth-largest state in terms of area. The state shares borders with several Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and international borders with Nepal. The capital of Uttar Pradesh is Lucknow, while other major cities include Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, and Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad).

Uttar Pradesh is known for its historical and cultural significance, with landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and the cities of Ayodhya and Varanasi, which hold religious importance for Hindus. The state’s history is marked by various dynasties, including the Mauryas, Guptas, Mughals, and the British colonial period. Uttar Pradesh played a significant role in India’s independence movement, with leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Chandrashekhar Azad originating from the state.

Politically, UP is highly influential, with the largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha (80 seats), making it critical in national elections. The current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is Yogi Adityanath, who assumed office on March 19, 2017, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His administration has focused on law and order, infrastructure development, and welfare schemes, while also facing challenges related to economic disparities, healthcare, and education.

Economically, Uttar Pradesh is diverse, with agriculture as a significant sector, producing wheat, sugarcane, and rice. The state is also home to industries like textiles, leather, handicrafts, and tourism. Despite its economic potential, UP faces challenges like poverty, illiteracy, infrastructure gaps, and law-and-order issues.

The state has also been a focal point of misinformation, with viral content often circulating about political developments, religious events, and social issues. Fact-checking organizations like BOOM actively debunk misleading claims related to Uttar Pradesh.

In July 2024, BOOM fact-checked a viral video claiming to show a laborer being shot in Uttar Pradesh.

BOOM found out that the video was actually from Novo Aleixo, Brazil, where a man named Lucas Figueiredo was shot dead on June 28, 2024.