A woman from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has finally broken her silence regarding a now-viral video that showed her interacting with a mysterious machine claimed to be used for citizenship verification. In a significant revelation, she has admitted that the entire episode was staged.
The Viral Video and Its Contents
The video, which spread rapidly across social media platforms in early January 2026, depicted the woman standing beside a large, box-like electronic device. The person recording the video could be heard asserting that this machine was being used by authorities to verify the citizenship status of individuals, specifically in the context of discussions around the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The footage caused considerable anxiety and sparked heated debates online.
However, the truth turned out to be far less sinister. The Ghaziabad police swiftly launched an investigation into the matter. Upon locating the woman featured in the video, she confessed that the scene was fabricated. The device was not an official government machine but was, in fact, an old, non-functional server CPU that was repurposed for the video. The narrative was created as a prank, which then escalated beyond expectation.
Police Investigation and Official Statement
The Ghaziabad police have confirmed the staged nature of the video. Authorities clarified that no such machine is being used by any government agency for citizenship verification processes. The police emphasized that the video was a piece of misinformation designed to create unnecessary fear and social unrest.
The incident occurred in the Kavi Nagar area of Ghaziabad. Law enforcement officials have warned the public against creating or spreading such false content, highlighting the legal consequences of inciting panic through fabricated news. They have urged citizens to rely only on official channels for information regarding government procedures.
Context and Wider Implications
This incident underscores the potent role of social media in amplifying unverified claims, especially on sensitive issues like citizenship and national identity. The NRC and CAA have been topics of intense political and social discourse in India, making the public particularly vulnerable to rumors.
The quick action by the Ghaziabad police in debunking the claim has been crucial in containing the spread of misinformation. It serves as a reminder for netizens to exercise caution and verify facts before sharing content that makes extraordinary claims. The episode also highlights the ongoing challenge authorities face in combating digital falsehoods that can threaten public order.
Ultimately, the "citizenship verification machine" was nothing more than a prop in a misguided prank, but its viral journey reveals much about the anxieties of the time and the ease with which they can be manipulated.
