In 2024, a video allegedly showing the rescue of a ‘188-year-old’ man from a cave near Bengaluru went viral, capturing the attention of millions worldwide. The footage, originally posted on the social media platform X by a user called ‘Concerned Citizen,’ amassed nearly 29 million views quickly. The viral post was accompanied by a caption suggesting the man had been living in the cave and was finally discovered at the astonishing age of 188. However, after careful analysis, it became evident that this was different. Fact-checkers have debunked this video, proving it to be an exaggerated and misleading claim.
In the brief 24-second clip, viewers see two men helping an elderly man walk. The man, frail and with a hunched back, leans on a walking stick for support. His long white beard and fragile appearance fuelled the sensational claim of his supposed 188 years. Despite the emotional response the video provoked, the truth soon came to light, showing that the viral video falsely claimed the rescue of a ‘188-year-old’ man in Bengaluru.
The Truth Behind the Video
Upon investigation, multiple reliable sources confirmed that the man in the viral video is not 188 years old but rather a 110-year-old Hindu saint named Siyaram Baba. Hailing from the Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh, Siyaram Baba is well-known in his region for his spiritual practices. Contrary to the viral claim, the footage did not involve his rescue from a cave, and there was no mystery surrounding his age. This fact-check confirms that the viral video falsely claims the rescue of a ‘188-year-old’ man in Bengaluru, highlighting the ease with which misinformation can spread online.
Social media platform X, where the video was first posted, took swift action in response to the misleading claim. A disclaimer was added to the original post, clarifying that the elderly man was Siyaram Baba, a revered figure from Madhya Pradesh and that he was approximately 110 years old. The platform also referenced an article from Navbharat Times, dated July 2, 2024, which accurately identified the man in the video. Once again, it was proven that the viral video falsely claims the rescue of a ‘188-year-old’ man in Bengaluru.
The Power and Perils of Viral Content
The viral nature of the video demonstrates how easily sensational content can spread, often without verification. With millions of views in a matter of days, the video sparked widespread curiosity and disbelief. Unfortunately, this also led to the rapid dissemination of false information. The fact-check of the viral video falsely claiming the rescue of a ‘188-year-old’ man in Bengaluru is a sobering reminder of the impact misinformation can have in the digital age.
D-Intent Data, a well-known data verification group, also weighed in on the controversy. Their thorough investigation labelled the video as misleading, reiterating that the man in the footage was not rescued from a cave and was not 188 years old. In a post on X, they confirmed that the elderly man was indeed Siyaram Baba, a Hindu saint from Madhya Pradesh. This fact-check of the viral video falsely claims the rescue of a ‘188-year-old’ man in Bengaluru, bringing the truth to light amidst a flurry of online speculation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the viral video that purportedly showed the rescue of a guy in Bengaluru who was supposedly 188 years old has been completely disproved. The person in the video is 110-year-old Hindu saint Siyaram Baba, not 188 years old. This instance emphasizes how crucial it is to confirm information before accepting or disseminating it. This fact-check demonstrates how quickly misinformation may be disseminated and misled by viral content, particularly when it is shared without the appropriate context or validation. This kind of misleading information spreads quickly, therefore we need to be on the lookout and rely on reliable sources.
