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’s estranged wife Jashodaben holds a placard targeting ‘Modi Ki Guarantee.’
Fact
Old image of Jashodaben which has been digitally manipulated.
Eyeing a third term, the Bharatiya Janata Party released its manifesto titled ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on April 14. BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ was unveiled at the party’s New Delhi headquarters in presence of PM Modi, Party chief JP Nadda, and Rajnath Singh among others.
The phrase ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ has been widely used by the leaders and supporters of the saffron party, highlighting the party’s achievements.
Now, an alleged photograph of Jashodaben, the estranged wife of PM Modi, holding a placard saying “He gave the first guarantee to me, you are wise enough,” has been widely shared on social media platforms. Multiple users shared the image insinuating that Jashodaben is targeting ‘Modi ki guarantee.’ Newschecker found that the image has been digitally altered.
Such posts can be seen here, here, and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A Tineye search on the viral image led us to a report by BBC, dated November 25, 2014, titled ‘India PM Modi’s wife Jashodaben airs safety concerns.’ It featured a similar photograph of Jashodaben, and stated, “The estranged wife of Indian PM Narendra Modi has raised concerns about her safety and asked for information about arrangements for her security. Jashodaben, a retired school teacher, filed a Right to Information (RTI) application to the state government in Gujarat where she lives.”
On comparing Jashodaben’s image featured in the BBC report with the viral photograph, we could conclude that the viral photograph has been digitally altered.
We looked up “Jashodaben,” “RTI” and “Protection” on Google, which yielded a video report by NDTV, dated November 24, 2014. The report stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s estranged wife, Jashodaben, has filed an RTI request asking for an explanation of the sort of security that she gets from the government. After Mr Modi was elected in May, Jashodaben was given round-the-clock security.”
It carried visuals of Jashodaben in identical attire, standing in the same location as seen in the viral image.
Also Read: Lok Sabha Polls- I.N.D.I Bloc Leading In 10 States? No, Viral Newspaper Cutting Is Fabricated
A Business Standard report, dated November 26, 2014, carried a similar photograph of Jashodaben with the caption, “Jashodaben, Wife Of PM Narendra Modi, With A Copy Of An RTI Application She Has Filed In Mehsana To Seek Details Of Her Privileges”
In a report dated November 25, 2014, Times Of India stated, “Jashodaben demanded all the details of her personal bodyguards saying that she and her family members are “very scared” of them…Jashodaben alleged that her security guards were demanding that they be treated like “guests”. “When I ask them to show the orders under which they are deployed, they don’t have any answers,” she said.”
Also Read: Aamir Khan Warning Against ‘Jumlas’? No, Edited Video Of Actor Goes Viral Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that the viral image of Jashodaben targeting ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ has been digitally altered.
Result: Altered Photo
Sources
Report By BBC, Dated November 25, 2014
Report By NDTV, Dated November 24, 2014
Report By Business Standard, Dated November 26, 2014
Report By Times Of India, Dated November 25, 2014
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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.
