The COVID-19 pandemic led the Indian government to implement a nationwide lockdown on March 24, 2020, in an unprecedented move to curb the spread of the virus. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the lockdown was enforced for an initial period of 21 days, restricting movement across the country and suspending all non-essential services. Essential sectors like healthcare, pharmacy, grocery, and media remained operational, while public gatherings, transportation, and industrial activities were halted. The decision was intended to "break the chain" of transmission, aiming to protect public health and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.

The lockdown had a profound impact on India's economy and social fabric. The sudden suspension of activities led to severe economic consequences, particularly affecting the informal sector, which constitutes a large part of India's workforce. Millions of migrant workers, who were left jobless, faced extreme hardships as they attempted to return to their native villages, often walking long distances in the absence of public transportation. This situation triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, prompting the government to establish relief measures, including food distribution, emergency shelters, and direct cash transfers for the economically vulnerable. The lockdown also catalyzed a shift towards remote work and online education, altering the dynamics of work culture and education in India.

In May 2020, a viral video claimed to show scenes from Shaheen Bagh during the COVID-19 lockdown in India. The video was widely shared on social media, misleadingly linking it to the anti-CAA protests in Shaheen Bagh.

BOOM found out that the video was actually from 2015 and had been recorded in Karachi, Pakistan. The nearly five-year-old footage had no connection to either Shaheen Bagh or the Indian lockdown.