Fact Check: Doctored image shows banner thanking Modi for Mirabai Chanu's Olympics silver medal
A photo of weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, being felicitated by Union ministers Anurag Thakur and Kiren Rijiju, Kishan Reddy, and others is going viral.
By Satya Priya BN Published on 1 Aug 2021 7:27 AM GMT
Hyderabad: A photo of weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, being felicitated by Union ministers Anurag Thakur and Kiren Rijiju, Kishan Reddy, and others is going viral. It is being claimed that the Hindi banner hanging behind them reads, "Thank you Modiji for getting medal for Mirabai".
The photo is being shared with the caption, "Look at the poster and read what is written. Did Mirabai Chanu win the medal by hard work or did Modi give it? Then Modi ji should get the medal for the whole team." (translated)
Fact Check:
The image has been doctored. The original banner does not contain any text thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Chanu's Olympics medal. The claim is FALSE.
A Google reverse image search found several news reports with the original image. They do not contain the viral text. The felicitation event took place on 26 July 2021.
According to ANI, Union minister of youth affairs and sports Anurag Thakur felicitated Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu. Union ministers Kiren Rijuju, Kishan Reddy, Sarbananda Sonowal, and minister of state Nisith Pramanik were also present.
The images were also shared by Mirabai herself on Twitter. It also shows the original banner which does not show the viral text.
Other publications like DD News had also published the photos. The banner reads, "Felicitation of Tokyo Olympics Silver medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, 26 July 2021" in Hindi and English.
Outlook and PIB have also shared the original images of the event.
Hence, it is clear that a doctored image of a banner thanking Mr. Modi for Mirabai Chanu's Olympics silver medal is going viral. The claim is FALSE.
