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.
(The article was originally published in Newschecker Hindi by Arjun Deodia)
PM Narendra Modi who recently concluded his Europe visit met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday (2nd May) to discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.
A photograph from the meeting purportedly showing a portrait of the first Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru hanging on a wall behind the two leaders is being widely circulated on multiple social media platforms. Newschecker found the viral image to be altered.
Several Facebook users shared the image from the meeting between the PM and the German Chancellor pointing towards the portrait in the background along with a sarcastic/satirical caption that reads “ Nehru trying to prevent Modi from working in Germany….”
The same photograph with Nehru’s portrait in the background was popular among Twitter users as well. Like this one shared by user @BIBEKANANDK who describes themselves to be a member of the INC.
Interestingly, most of the posts found on social media that shared this image had the same text accompanying them which said “Peeche dekho ( look back)” followed by “ Nehru trying to prevent Modi from working in Germany….”, seemingly attempting to take a jibe at the BJP for pointing fingers towards India’s first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, his policies and the Congress party on various occasions.
In February 2022, former-PM Manmohan Singh had spoken against what said were the Modi government’s “short-sighted policies” which “have caused people to suffer from a falling economy, rising inflation and unemployment.” Singh added, “On the other hand, the present government which has been in power for the last seven-and-a-half years, rather than admitting their mistakes and making amends, is still blaming first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for being responsible for people’s problems,” he added. ‘They have no understanding of economic policy.”
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Fact Check/Verification
A reverse search on Google image search revealed that the viral image is manipulated. Multiple media reports carried a similar image from the recent PM Modi- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meeting, however, in those versions, the wall behind the two leaders is blank and does not feature the portrait of Nehru at all. These reports are available here, here and here.
The official Facebook page of PM Narendra Modi has shared the same image on May 3, 2022, with the caption, “I had wide-ranging discussions with Chancellor Scholz. Today’s talks covered trade, commerce, innovation, culture and people-to-people linkages. India and Germany are working together on several subjects. This partnership will benefit our entire planet.”
The same image was also shared by the official account of the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) on Twitter.
A comparison of both images clearly shows that the viral image has been edited to include a portrait of Nehru on the wall.
Conclusion
Our investigation revealed that while the commentary along with the viral image showing Nehru’s portrait hanging on the wall in the room during PM Modi’s meeting with the German Chancellor is sarcastic and satirical in nature, the image itself has been manipulated and that there is no portrait hanging on the wall behind the two leaders in the original photograph.
Result: Manipulated Media/Altered Photo
Sources
The Times Of India
Twitter Account of PMO India
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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.
