FACT CHECK: Old image of Akhilesh Yadav wearing footwear while serving food shared as recent
A picture of former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav serving food to women is circulating on social media.
By Misha Rajani Published on 19 Oct 2021 3:45 AM GMT
HYDERABAD: A picture of former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav serving food to women is circulating on social media. Users claim that Yadav disrespected Navratri Kanya Puja by not taking off his footwear while serving food.
"Akhilesh Yadav feeds the girl wearing shoes in Navratri!!" read the message.
नवरात्रि मे जुता पहन कर कन्या को भोजन कराते अखिलेश यादव!!
NewsMeter found the same image tweeted by Yadav in July 2016. The image was taken during the launch of 'Hausala Nutrition Scheme', a scheme that provides meals to pregnant women & malnourished children.
According to Business Standard, the UP government launched the scheme in June 2016. For effective implementation, Yadav adopted one village in Shravasti district under state nutrition mission. Under the scheme, pregnant women and malnourished children would be provided cooked food and one fruit each along with consultation to pregnant women and kin of malnourished children.
Launched Hausala Nutrition Scheme, which will provide hot nutritious meals to pregnant women & malnourished children pic.twitter.com/wy1n618FWI
According to Patrika, a Hindi media outlet, during the launch of the Hausala Nutrition Scheme, Yadav was distributing food to women. While doing so, a lady's plate was right next to his shoe. This led to a controversy.
— 𝐷ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠ℎ𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖 (@dheeresh_pt) July 15, 2016
The scheme died down soon. According to Amar Ujala, due to the non-availability of funds from the government, pregnant women could not get food at the centers.
Evidently, the viral image is from a 2016 incident. It did not take place during 2021 Navratri Kanya Puja.
Thus, the claim is false.
Claim Review:An image of a former UP CM wearing footwear and serving food during the Navratri Kanya Puja.