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
An image of a Google search showing a tweet, dated April 20, 2023, which states that Shirdi Sai Trust has donated ₹35 Crore to the Haj committee has gone viral.
Newscheker received the image on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) multiple times requesting to be fact checked.
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Fact
A keyword search for “Shirdi Sai Trust,” “Haj” and “35 crore” on Google did not yield any credible reports on such a donation by the Shirdi Sai Trust.
However, we did come across a report by ETV Bharat Marathi, dated April 24, 2023, dismissing the claims that the trust donated crores to the Haj committee. It stated that Rahul Jadhav, CEO of Sai Sansthan, clarified that the constitution of the Sai institute does not have a provision for any such funds. Adding that no one asked them for any donations, so there is no point about giving or denying funds to anyone.
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Newschecker further reached out to the PRO of the Shirdi Sai Trust who further refuted the claim. He told us that no funds have been donated to the Haj Committee.
Hence, the viral claim that the Shirdi Sai Trust has donated ₹ 35 Crore to the Haj committee was found to be untrue.
Result: False
Sources
Report By ETV Bharat, Dated April 24, 2023
Conversation With RPO Of Shirdi Sai Temple Trust
(With inputs from Prathmesh Khunt)
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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.
