Tirupati Student Protest Video: Fact-Check on BRICS Summit Misinformation

A viral video depicting a confrontation between police and protesters has sparked significant debate across social media in India. While the footage is being widely shared, it has become a focal point for misinformation, with some users falsely claiming it shows Delhi Police action during the 2026 BRICS Summit. However, evidence confirms the incident actually took place in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, during a localized student agitation.

The Reality: Paramedical Students' Protest in Tirupati

The incident occurred at Garuda Circle in Alipiri, Tirupati, where interns of BSc Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) and other allied health sciences streams, alongside student union representatives, staged a protest. The students were demonstrating against mandatory 12-hour hospital shifts, which they described as "free labour," and demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government release a ₹15,000 monthly stipend to cover costs for transportation, food, and accommodation [1].

The Viral 'Hair-Pulling' Controversy

The controversy centers on a clip showing ASI Lakshmi Kumari allegedly dragging a female protester. Initial social media reactions suggested the officer was pulling the woman by her hair, which led to the officer being shunted to vacancy reserve (VR) [1].

However, the protester, Sunitha (a district committee member of the SFI), later released a selfie video to clarify the situation. She stated that the officer was pulling her hand and that her hair had accidentally fallen over the arm during the struggle, creating a visual illusion [2]. This account was supported by Tirupati Additional SP Ravi Manoharachary, who clarified that the agitator was pulled only by her hand [1].

Weaponizing Footage: The BRICS Summit Fake News

Following the local incident, the footage was misappropriated by various social media accounts to create a false narrative. These posts claimed the video depicted the Delhi Police forcibly removing protesters during the 2026 BRICS Summit in Delhi [2].

Fact-checks conducted via reverse image searches and official police records have debunked these claims. The visuals are definitively from the Tirupati protest and have no connection to the BRICS Summit or the Delhi Police. This case highlights how localized civil unrest can be stripped of context and weaponized as political misinformation on a national scale.

Summary of Facts vs. Misinformation

Detail	Actual Event (Tirupati)	Fake Narrative (Delhi)
Location	Garuda Circle, Alipiri, Tirupati	Delhi (BRICS Summit site)
Participants	Paramedical Students / SFI	Anti-BRICS Protesters
Core Issue	Stipends and 12-hour shifts	Political opposition to Summit
Police Force	Andhra Pradesh Police	Delhi Police