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.
On March 7, 2022, Global Times, a Chinese newspaper, tweeted three images of the Qutub Minar lit up in blue, red and white. The post claimed, “India lit up the Qutab Minar, one of the landmark buildings in New Delhi, with the colors of the Russian flag.”
Global Times later deleted the tweet. An archive version of the same can be found here.
Several social media users also shared the same images of the iconic monument in Delhi that dates back to the 12th century, claiming that the Indian monument was lit up in the colours of the Russian flag. As Russia’s flag also contains red, blue and white, social media users incorrectly linked the event to imply India’s support to Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
India has maintained a neutral stance amid what Russia terms is a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine while urging the countries to resolve the dispute through negotiations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to speak to heads of both countries seeking ‘immediate cessation of violence.’
India abstained from voting on Feb 25 for the UNSC resolution condemning Russia despite calls from Russia , Ukraine and US ‘to do the right thing.’ Ukraine and Russia had even issued public appeals for India to take a clear stand.
Despite international pressure , India continues to maintain a neutral stance and this was reiterated by PM Modi again when he spoke to presidents of Ukraine and Russia on March 7 , welcoming the ongoing negotiations between the two countries and hoped that they are fruitful. He also “suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelenskyy may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts.”
In this backdrop, Global Times tweet claiming that the Qutub Minar was lit up in the colours of the Russian flag, misled people into believing that India is supporting Russia invasion of Ukraine.
Fact Check/Verification
But did India really support Russia as implied by Global Times in its tweet? Newschecker has found the claim made by Global Times to be misleading.
On analysing the images closely, we noticed the text ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ in Hindi along with the logo of the scheme displayed on Qutub Minar in the viral images.
On conducting keyword search for ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Qutub Minar’, we found that the viral images were posted on the official Twitter account of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana on March 5, 2022, along with the caption “Historical Monument of our Country, Qutub Minar illuminates on the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2022.This great moment captured in the camera will leave mark in the history.”
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana also shared an image of the Qutub Minar illuminated with red, blue and white colours on Facebook. According to the post, as a part of celebrations of the Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2022, Qutub Minar was lit up from 6:30 pm to 10 pm from February 5 to 7.
In addition, Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya also tweeted the same images of Qutub Minar saying, “An amazing confluence of technology & beauty! Qutub Minar illuminated with Jan Aushadhi and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav theme from 5th to 7th March.”
Further, the government’s PIB also published a Fact Check, dated March 7, 2022, which called the claim ‘misleading.’ It added, “Qutub Minar was illuminated as a part of the #JanaushadhiDiwas2022 celebrations.”
Conclusion
Global Times’ tweet claiming that the Qutub Minar was lit up in the colours of the Russian flag is misleading. While it’s true that the monument was illuminated with red, blue and white colours to celebrate the Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2022.
Result: False Context/False
Sources
Twitter Accounts Of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana & Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
Facebook Account Of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
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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.
