A screenshot of an article featuring the image of journalist Ranna Ayyub alongside the photo of Hollywood actor, Will Smith performing a Hindu ritual is being circulated on social media platforms with the claim that Ayyub has called the incident of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock an act of “Hindu Extremism”.
However, the claim is misleading, the article was published by a website called The Fauxy, which is famous for publishing satirical content related to politics. The satirical articles published by the website usually get shared with misleading claims. We have debunked such claims in past also.
This claim and article come on the backdrop of Will Smith smacking hard on the face of Chris Rock when he joked about the baldness of Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett while presenting the 94th Academy Award Ceremony. Pinkett suffers from Alopecia – a hair loss condition. After the incident, Smith bagged the best actor award for his role in King Richard.
The misleading claim is being made with varying captions on Facebook.
A Facebook user shared the screenshot of the article with the caption that reads: “Ohhh the problem is something else A Hindu protects his Dharm, but Islam protect it’s Allah 
Feeling jealous of being no men in her life to defend her and her future hair loss…”
(Source: Facebook/Screenshot)
Several other Facebook and Twitter users have made the same misleading claim with varying captions. Click here, here, here, here and here to view posts.
FactO Check:
The disclaimer on the website reads: “The Fauxy is an entertainment portal. The content of this website is purely for entertainment purposes and readers are advised not to confuse the articles of The Fauxy as genuine and true’.”
(Source: The Fauxy/Screenshot)
Ayyub took to Twitter to call out the website and users who are spreading the fake. Sharing the screenshot of the viral article, she wrote: “Another virtual lynch mob after this fake news masquerading as satire goes viral.”
Another virtual lynch mob after this fake news masquerading as satire goes viral pic.twitter.com/HiNvQa7TXv
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) March 29, 2022
The image of Will Smith with folding hands used in the article is from his Instagram account. The actor had posted the image on 7 April 2019 during his visit to Haridawar. The caption along with the image reads: “My Grandmother used to say, “God Teaches through Experience”. Traveling to India & Experiencing the colors, people and natural beauty has awakened a new understanding of myself, my Art & the Truths of the world.”
(Source: Instagram/Screenshot)
Conclusion:
The article published by The Fauxy is a satire and the social media users claim using the screenshot of this article is misleading and completely untrue.