Kevadiya: A police complaint has been filed against an individual for spreading misinformation about the Statue of Unity on social media.

A social media account called RaGa For India shared a picture of the Statue of Unity depicting cracks in the left foot of the world’s largest statue, stating, “It can fall anytime; cracks are starting to appear.” The image gained considerable attention online.

However, the Fact Check Unit under the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India rebutted the fake news, revealing that the image was actually taken in October  2,18, during the statue’s construction, confirming that it has been misrepresented.

सोशल मीडिया पर एक फोटो शेयर कर यह दावा किया जा रहा है कि दुनिया की सबसे ऊंची प्रतिमा, स्टैच्यू ऑफ यूनिटी में दरारें आनी शुरू हो गई हैं और यह कभी भी गिर सकती है।#PIBFactCheck

❌ यह दावा #फर्जी है।

✅ यह फोटो वर्ष 2018 में स्टैच्यू ऑफ यूनिटी के निर्माण के दौरान की है pic.twitter.com/RHpYc2Aykj

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 9, 2024

Later, on Monday night, the Statue of Unity authority lodged a complaint against the X account holder for spreading false rumors. Deputy Collector & SDM Abhishek Sinha filed the complaint. The complaint cites actions that create fear among the public by spreading false news, attempting to disturb the peace, and disseminating misleading propaganda. The Twitter user has been booked under Section 353(1)(B) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Statue of Unity, which honors Indian freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands 183 meters tall along the Narmada River and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2018. DeshGujarat