An image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering prayer is viral on social media, accusing him of “turning his back on” the deity. In the image, PM Modi can be seen standing with folded hands, and his back faces the giant idol of Lord Ganesha. Netizens alleged that PM Modi gave more importance to the camera than the deity.
This comes after PM Modi visited Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandir and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha during his day-long visit to Maharashtra’s Pune district.
A Facebook user shared this image and wrote: “इस तस्वीर के बारे में आपकी क्या राय है.” [English translation: What’s your opinion on this image?]
The post can be seen here.
Congress leader Srinivas BV also shared this image with a similar claim.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the claim, and found it to be misleading.
With a keyword search, the NM team identified a tweet, dated August 2, 2023. As per the tweet text, the photo was actually a picture of him performing the ritual of circumambulation (Parikrama) before the deity.
..
Just taken a snapshot from the Pooja and spreading it as if he was posing for pics.
Shameful. https://t.co/aB0pZFEe7B pic.twitter.com/1zScdoNb1p
— (@Sagar4BJP) August 2, 2023
Twitter user Ankur Singh also shared a video showing PM Modi performing parikrama. He revolved on the spot to perform parikrama to Lord Ganesha. Parikrama is a customary practice of moving clockwise around the deity as an indication of reverence.
PM Modi was doing Parikrama.
Stop misleading people for cheap attention, everyday. https://t.co/Qua4MmCE7A pic.twitter.com/8s9LzfhD6U
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) August 2, 2023
PM Modi’s official Twitter handle also shared some visuals of his visit to Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandir.
Feeling blessed to pray at the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir in Pune. pic.twitter.com/pwzVRpYMXk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2023
Therefore, it is clear that the viral image was actually a snapshot of PM Modi’s circumambulation before the deity, and its claim is Misleading.
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