Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
PM Narendra Modi’s 1983 MA degree awarded by the Gujarat University was signed by Prof KS Shastri whose tenure as the Vice Chancellor had ended in 1981.
Fact
Prof KS Shastri served as the Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University from 1981 to 1987.
A recent ruling by the Gujarat High Court set aside a 2016 order directing the Gujarat University to reveal details of PM Modi’s degrees. Soon after, the discussions and debates around the educational qualifications of the Prime Minister became the centre stage of the political and social media conversations.
In 2016, the then Central Information Commission M Sridhar Acharyulu had directed the Gujarat University, the Delhi University and the PMO to furnish PM Modi’s educational degrees following a RTI by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal.
BJP was quick to release the copies of PM Modi’s MA and BA degrees after the same.
As the murmurs around the PM educational qualifications started to escalate online, these degrees have emerged on social media platforms.
In this background, several users shared a set of two images – a copy of PM Modi’s MA degree awarded by the Gujarat University in 1983, and an alleged photograph of Prof KS Shastri. Those sharing the images allege that Prof Shastri’s tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat University ended in 1981. And further wondering then how his signature appears in PM Modi’s degree that was issued in 1983.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Prof KS Shastri” and “Vice chancellor” on Google led us to the “Incumbency Chart Of Vice Chancellor” on the official website of the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU).
The chart also featured one Prof KS Shastri whose photograph and tenure as the Vice Chancellor were identical to the one seen in the viral collage. This led us to conclude that the Prof Shastri mentioned in the viral claim was actually the Vice Chancellor of Surat-based VNSGU from 1980 to 1981, and not Ahemdabad-based Gujarat University as widely claimed.
We looked up “Gujarat University Vice Chancellor List” on Google which yielded a PDF uploaded on the official website of the university, carrying the names of people who had held the position.
On scanning through the list, we spotted the name of “Prof KS Shastri” who held the office of the Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat University from 1981 to 1987. Notably, PM Modi’s degree was issued in 1983, explaining Prof Shastri’s signature.
Also Read: Image Of Photographer Sprawled On The Ground Taking PM Modi’s Picture Is Edited
The official website of the SLERF confirmed that Prof Shastri, the Gujarat University’s former- VC, was the same person who was briefly the Vice Chancellor of the VNSGU, and not his namesake.
Notably, Prof Shastri was the Vice Chancellor of the VNSGU for a brief period, and later joined the Gujarat University at the same post in 1981. His tenure at the Gujarat University ended in 1987.
Conclusion
Viral claim that PM Modi’s MA degree, awarded in 1983, carries the signature of Vice Chancellor Prof KS Shastri whose tenure ended in 1981 is false. Prof Shastri was the VC of Gujarat University from 1981 to 1987.
Result: False
Sources
Official Website Of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University
Official Website Of Gujarat University
Official Website Of SLERF
(This article was originally published in Newschecker Hindi by Arjun Deodia)
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
