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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
PM Modi shared an image saying “All eyes on Pok” as a story on his Instagram profile.
Fact
No evidence to show that the PM posted any such story. Viral image is fabricated.
At least 45 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in Gaza’s Rafah on Sunday, prompting global outrage against the Netanyahu government. Soon after, multiple social media users, including celebrities, shared an image displaying the words “All eyes on Rafah,” in solidarity with the victims of the airstrike.While the trend gained momentum on social media, several Indian celebrities received backlash for posting the viral image.
In this backdrop, an alleged screengrab of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Instagram story stating “All Eyes on PoK” has gone viral online. However, Newschecker found that the image is fabricated, and that there is no evidence to show that the PM had posted any such story.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Viral Video Of Cristiano Ronaldo Voicing Support For ‘Children Of Gaza’ Is Digitally Altered
As the BJP eyes third term at the centre, multiple top leaders of the saffron party have vouched for the integration of PoK- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir with India if voted to power. In a recent rally, Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that PoK is a part of India, and “we will take it back.” BJP CMs Himanta Biswa Sarma and Yogi Adityanath have also affirmed that PoK will be merged in India in Modi 3.0.
Fact Check/Verification
We skimmed through the social media accounts of the Prime Minister, but did not spot the widely circulated image.
The stories currently featured in Narendra Modi’s Facebook and Instagram profiles can be seen below.
On a close look at the alleged screengrab from PM Modi’s Instagram story, we noticed that the template was used 12.4 million times on the platform. However, we did not spot any such template listed on Instagram.
No News Reports On PM Modi’s Alleged Instagram Story
A keyword search for “All Eyes On PoK,” and “PM Modi” did not yield any credible news reports suggesting that such an image was shared on Narendra Modi’s social media profile. The image, if authentic, would have been a major news event, prompting strong reactions by the opposition.
Government’s PIB and DD News did not report on any such story by the PM as well.
While there is no mention of any such post by PM Modi in the media, YouTuber Elvish Yadav is making the headlines for posting an image saying “All eyes on PoK.” “The popular YouTuber, known for his strong views on Hinduism, has now taken to social media to oppose the ‘All eyes on Rafah’ trend. Instead, he shared a similar template with the caption ‘All eyes on POK,’ referring to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” reported Times of India.
Yadav’s story can be seen below.
Also Read: Did PM Modi Say One Of Guru Gobind Singh’s ‘Panch Pyare’ Was His Uncle?
Tracing The Origins
A Google lens search on the viral image led us to multiple posts by meme handles sharing the alleged screenshot of the PM’s Instagram story.
The phrase “All eyes on PoK,” and “Narendra Modi” was first found on X in the comment section of a post by @Incognito_qfs at 10:09 PM on May 28. We noticed that the widely circulated image was first shared on X by @Incognito_qfs at 10:33 PM on May 28.
It is likely that the image was created by X user @Incognito_qfs taking inspiration from a comment on his post calling out “celebrities who sold their soul for few lakhs & promoted Jihadi propaganda,” by sharing the “All eyes on Rafah” image.
The image was also shared on the Instagram handle of @Incognito_qfs later on May 29. We also spotted another image based on the same template on the Instagram account. It showed a fabricated screengrab from Rahul Gandhi’s story, stating “All eyes on Thailand.”
‘All Eyes On Rafah’ Template Distorted Repeatedly On Social Media
As the ‘All Eyes on Rafah” trend created a buzz on social media platforms, we noticed a number of Indian users sharing altered versions of the original template introduced in solidarity with the victims of Rafah. While some modified it to show “All eyes on PoK,” others linked it to “Kashi,” “Mathura” and even “Modi 3.0”
Also Read: 2024 Lok Sabha Polls – 2019 Video Of PM’s Kolkata Rally Falsely Shared As Jalandhar
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that the viral image claiming to show PM Modi’s Instagram story is fabricated. There is no evidence to suggest that the PM posted any image saying “All eyes on PoK.”
Result: False
Sources
Facebook And Instagram Profiles Of Narendra Modi
Self Analysis
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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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
