A video on social media has attracted much attention because it appears to show a Nihang participant threatening someone during a protest being broadcasted online as the CJP protest.
The video has ignited a firestorm of debate on social media about the presence of non-student groups at the event that many social media users are now calling a student-led protest.
In the video, the person, who was wearing traditional Nihang clothing, makes bold statements that have since drawn criticism and concern online. The video’s authenticity, context, and timing have not been independently verified at the time of writing.
The video has led people on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media sites to question why people who are not students were seen in the viral video as part of a protest that is in general seen as led by students. There has been no official confirmation of the affiliation of those who are seen in the viral video from protest organizers or from authorities.
Nihangs are part of a Sikh warrior tradition that has a very long history. Nihangs have certainly shown up to public demonstrations and events so far but that presence in a rally does not necessarily mean any organization or community is actually involved in a protest.
The video has also raised some questions about security arrangements around public demonstrations and the need for peaceful protests. Several commentators have asked authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the footage and determine if any laws were violated.
A Nihang at the CJP protest is saying - If we start attacking, we'll beat everyone until their bodies are covered in bruises. We won't spare anyone, whether it's the police or anyone else.
— Saffron Chargers (@SaffronChargers) July 22, 2026
This protest is being presented as a students' protest, so where did these Nihangs… pic.twitter.com/MCKsBqrUc6
Experts are not comfortable making conclusions on short video clips posted on social media alone. Edited or selective videos might not capture the whole story. Journalists and fact-checkers check the location, date, and full context before assuming viral content to be conclusive evidence.
Police and government officials have not publicly released any official statement on the video's authenticity or the identity of the person featured on it until now. And organizers at the protest have not released a verified response to the claims posted online about the video.
The video is an example of how quickly viral videos can change public opinion at politically charged times. And although such footage can incite heated debate, it’s important to have verified information from sources and not just feel convinced of conclusions to be drawn from it before it’s concluded.
Police are monitoring the protest and the investigation of the viral video and the identities of those involved will be clearer in the coming days.
But for now, those involved will have a longer way to go. And users need to be careful in posting unverified content and sharing unverified posts, and reporting trustworthy sources in this way will be welcomed.
