Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India’s Bizarre Headlines Span Textbooks, Towers, SUVs and Fake Officials
This roundup describes five unusual incidents in India.
A textbook reportedly showed Narendra Modi alongside freedom fighters, even though he was born after independence.
In Daman, SUV owners were asked to promise to drive safely.
In Tigra village, a young man climbed a mobile tower after his father rejected his marriage proposal.
He came down after neighbours said the marriage would be arranged.
In Mumbai, two men allegedly used fake Prime Minister’s Office identities and firearms before being arrested.
In Fatehpur, villagers allegedly tied a Jio technician to a tower because they were angry about weak mobile service.
Police intervened in the tower incidents, and the reports do not establish whether the textbook mistake was accidental or deliberate.
A coaching institute textbook reportedly placed Narendra Modi alongside India’s freedom fighters, prompting accusations of historical distortion.
Daman officials asked Thar and Fortuner owners to pledge against speeding, racing, drifting and road stunts.
A 19-year-old man in Tigra village reportedly climbed a 90-foot tower after his father opposed his proposed marriage.
Two Mumbai men accused of posing as Prime Minister’s Office officials with firearms and fake documents were sent to judicial custody.
Villagers in Fatehpur allegedly tied a Jio technician to a tower for about two hours over poor connectivity and absent 5G service.
- Who
- A coaching institute, Narendra Modi, Daman officials and SUV owners, a 19-year-old man and his family, two Mumbai men, and Fatehpur villagers and a Jio technician.
- What
- Five reported incidents involving a disputed textbook, a road-safety pledge, a tower climb, alleged fake officials, and a protest over mobile connectivity.
- When
- The tower-climbing incident occurred on a Monday; the Mumbai incident occurred on September 7, with the accused sent to custody on Friday; the other incidents have no definitive date in the reports.
- Where
- The incidents were reported in India, including Daman, Tigra village, Mumbai, and Fatehpur.
- Why
- The reported triggers were alleged historical misrepresentation, road-safety concerns, a marriage dispute, an alleged attempt to appear connected to the Prime Minister’s Office, and frustration over poor mobile coverage.
Critics and authorities
Reported explanations and defenses
Textbook’s historical framing
Critics and authorities
Social-media users called the inclusion of Narendra Modi alongside freedom fighters alarming and accused the material of rewriting history or influencing students.
Reported explanations and defenses
The reports say it remains unclear whether the reference resulted from an error, careless wording, or deliberate revisionism; the textbook also included quotes by Modi.
Alleged fake PMO identities
Critics and authorities
Police alleged that Rohan Parikh and Dilip Kunde entered the mall with firearms, used a fake Prime Minister’s Office identity card, and possibly created documents with AI tools.
Reported explanations and defenses
Their lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, argued that the men had already admitted preparing the documents and that no third party was involved; police said the incident was unrelated to the nearby prime-ministerial programme.
Fatehpur connectivity protest
Critics and authorities
Villagers said they had endured years of weak mobile signals and lacked the expected 5G service, leading them to allegedly tie a technician to the tower.
Reported explanations and defenses
The technician was released after police intervened, while the reports provide no independent confirmation of the network problems or any response from Jio.
- Textbook controversy
- A guide linked to Shivant Sir reportedly included Narendra Modi among prominent personalities alongside freedom fighters.
- Daman campaign
- The “Thar-Fortuner Sankalp Yatra” promoted responsible driving under the slogan “Raftaar nahi, Sanskaar.”
- Tower incident
- A 19-year-old reportedly remained atop a 90-foot mobile tower for about five hours.
- Mumbai custody
- Rohan Parikh and Dilip Kunde were sent to 14-day judicial custody.
- Alleged documents
- Police said some documents in the Mumbai case may have been created using AI tools.
- Fatehpur protest
- Villagers allegedly held a Jio technician for around two hours before police intervened.
- Road-safety pledge
- Daman SUV owners were asked not to speed, race, drift, or perform road stunts.