Fact Check: Viral image of Dhoni driving a tractor is not related to farmers protest
An image of former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni driving a tractor is viral on social media. Users...
By Newsmeter Network Published on 4 Feb 2021 6:41 AM GMT
HYDERABAD: An image of former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni driving a tractor is viral on social media. Users claim that he supported farmers agitation that took place on January 26.
The claim upon translation reads: "Former captain of the Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni supports the farmers' tractor parade. Farmers protest... Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan".
FACT CHECK:
NewsMeter found that the claim is false as the image was taken in June 2020, much before the farmers' protests began.
We performed a reverse image search and found that the same image was carried by REPUBLIC WORLD from June 2020. It states that MS Dhoni bought a Swaraj 963 FE Tractor for organic farming.
We also found a video of Dhoni driving the tractor. It was tweeted by CHENNAI SUPER KINGS in JUNE 2020 with the text, "Dhoni meets Raja Sir in his newest beast! ".
We also found the same photo in an article published by 'DECCAN CHRONICLE' news website in June 2020. In the article, it is mentioned that Dhoni purchased a new Mahindra Swaraj 963 FE model tractor for organic farming at his Ranchi farmhouse.
The article reads: " Deepankar Kumar of Pinki Engineering Corporation, dealers of Mahindra Tractors and agricultural implements, said that Dhoni had purchased a Mahindra Tractor (Model -963 FE) from his company".
It further adds: "The vehicle costs `8,80,000, said Deepankar, adding that the order was placed on May 20, and it was delivered on June 2. According to him, Dhoni has purchased the tractor for organic farming".
Evidently, it is clear that Dhoni is not supporting the farmers' protest. His image of driving a tractor dates back to June 2020.
