A video originally shared on Instagram by the social media handle Hindutva Watch was later picked up by other Islamist accounts on X. The video shows people undergoing rifle training in an open ground. While sharing the video, it is claimed that the Karnataka police are training civilians, including Bajrang Dal members, to use firearms so they can incite violence.
Hindutva Watch claimed, ‘The police conducted a six-day civilian firearms training, where 130 participants, including members of the Bajrang Dal, received firearms training.’
Amina stated, ‘Karnataka Police train 130 civilians, including Bajrang Dal militants, spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Hello.RahulGandhi, Is this how you open “shops of love” in the market of hatred? Why is the .INCKarnataka Govt silent? What’s the purpose of arming Bajrang Dal militants—creating ri0ts?’
Karnataka Police train 130 civilians, including Bajrang Dal militants, spending taxpayers' hard-earned money.
— أمينة Amina (@AminaaKausar) March 8, 2025
Hello.@RahulGandhi, Is this how you open "shops of love" in the market of hatred? Why is the .@INCKarnataka Govt silent? What’s the purpose of arming Bajrang Dal… pic.twitter.com/nIPuZSDP1K
Mohd Shadab Khan asserted, ‘Police Conduct Firearms Training for Civilians, Including Bajrang Dal Members! In Bangalore Rural, Karnataka, police held a six-day firearms training camp on March 2, with 130 participants, including Bajrang Dal members, receiving weapons training. Who is being armed, and for what purpose’
Bangalore🚨 | Police Conduct Firearms Training for Civilians, Including Bajrang Dal Members!
— Mohd Shadab Khan (@VoxShadabKhan) March 8, 2025
In Bangalore Rural, Karnataka, police held a six-day firearms training camp on March 2, with 130 participants, including Bajrang Dal members, receiving weapons training.
Who is… pic.twitter.com/rwrAhLRFnQ
The Muslim and Sunny also shared a video with similar claims.
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Fact Check
We began our fact-checking process by conducting a relevant keyword search on the topic. During our search, we found a report published by The Hindu on February 18, 2025. The report said, ‘The Vijayapura Police will train civilians in using firearms for self-defense. Interested residents of the district can join the sessions every morning at the Police Parade Grounds from February 24 to March 2. Those interested can submit applications at the District Armoury in the Police Headquarters with three photographs and proof of residence.’
It’s worth noting that the Vijayapura police invited civilians irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, race, or ideological beliefs. Hence, highlighting Bajrang Dal members in this context is deceptive. Moreover, the report does not mention anywhere that Bajrang Dal members received rifle training.
Furthermore, in our extended research, we found a Bangalore Mirror report from June 2022, which reads, ‘The 70th batch of the Civilian Rifle Training Course (CRTC) was conducted in Tumkur District under the guidance of armored officers Mr. Nagaraju, Mr. Narayan, and Mr. Patil on June 30, 2022, near Mandaragiri Betta (Basadi Betta), Tumkur. This was a bridge course that not only provided candidates with rifle-handling knowledge but also covered its significance, precautionary measures, maintenance, and, most importantly, the legal aspects of owning and using a non-prohibited weapon without causing harm to oneself or others.
The program held on June 30, 2022, was attended by Mr. Paramesh K.N (D.Y.S.P. D.A.R Tumakuru), Mr. Ramakrishna H.K (R.P.I D.A.R Tumakuru), and Mr. Yuvaraj (R.P.I D.A.R Tumakuru).’
Additionally, we found a Daijiworld report published on March 26, 2019. The report said, ‘The week-long Civilian Rifle Training Certificate (CRTC) camp, organized by the Udupi District Police in February, concluded on March 24 with a felicitation ceremony at the District Armed Reserve (DAR) HQ hall, Chandu Maidan. A total of 41 civilians participated in the camp, receiving training in basic rifle drills, firing positions, weapon handling, aiming techniques, and principles of accurate shooting.’
Moreover, The Hindu published another report on January 15, 2015, stating, ‘Civilians interested in learning rifle handling can now approach the City Police, who will soon begin training sessions at the City Armed Reserve (CAR) grounds. The CAR, which is organizing the rifle training program under the newly-formed Mysuru City Civilian Rifle Association, has invited applications from interested civilians—both men and women—aged between 18 and 60 years, for a batch expected to start at the end of the month.’
The assertion that the Karnataka police are specifically providing firearms training to Bajrang Dal members to provoke violence is untrue. The reports mentioned do not indicate anywhere that Bajrang Dal members received rifle training. In fact, civilian rifle training has been a well-established practice under the Karnataka police’s Civilian Rifle Training Certificate (CRTC) program. These sessions are accessible to all civilians, irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, race, or ideological affiliations.
| Claim | Karnataka police are training civilians, including Bajrang Dal members, to use firearms so they can incite violence |
| Claimed by | Social media users |
| Fact Check | The claim that Karnataka Police conducted firearms training exclusively for Bajrang Dal members is false. The Civilian Rifle Training Certificate (CRTC) program has been a long-standing initiative open to all civilians, regardless of religion, caste, or ideology. |
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