Edited Video Falsely Claims Mamata Banerjee Left Stage Before National Anthem Ended

A video of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is being shared on various social media platforms. In it, she can allegedly be seen leaving the stage during the national anthem. An X handle “@pmreddy21“ shared the video on November 7, 2025, writing, “Here is a clip wow @MamataOfficial was disrespectful of our national anthem”. An archived link of the post can be seen here. 

Evidence

1. Event details visible in the video
   On closer inspection, one frame of the viral clip shows a background screen with Bengali text reading: “Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will begin distributing widow pensions to new applicants from Netaji Indoor Stadium. Date: March 23, 2022. Time: 1 PM.” A Getty Images watermark is also visible on the video.

2. Original video from Getty Images

Using keywords like “Getty Images, Mamata Banerjee, widow allowance”, the original video was traced to Getty Images, uploaded on March 23, 2022. The unedited clip clearly shows Mamata Banerjee standing as the national anthem plays and leaving the stage only after it ends.

3. Media coverage of the event

The same program, held at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata as part of the widow pension scheme, was live-streamed by Dristhi Bhongi and ETV Bharat West Bengal. Both videos confirm Banerjee did not leave mid-anthem.

Verdict

Thus, it is clear that the viral claim is fake and the video is edited.

FAQs
Q1. Did Mamata Banerjee leave the stage before the national anthem ended?
No. She stood on stage until the anthem finished and left only afterward.
Q2. Where and when was the event held?
The event took place on March 23, 2022, at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata, during a widow pension distribution program.
Q3. How was the viral video altered?
The viral version was edited to cut off the ending, creating the false impression that she walked away mid-anthem.
Q4. Why is this misinformation harmful?
Such edited videos can spread false narratives and damage public trust in leaders or institutions.

Sources
Video by the Getty Images
Video by  Dristhi Bhongi 
Video by ETV Bharath West Bengal