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The photograph published on the Press Information Bureau website and (right) the one posted on Modi’s Twitter account.
Agencies
New Delhi
A doctored photo released by the Indian government showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi surveying the flooding in Tamil Nadu from a helicopter has been deleted, and his office promised remedial action after criticism on social media.
Modi travelled to Chennai on Thursday to get a first-hand view of the disaster.
The government’s Press Information Bureau published a photo on its website that showed Modi looking through the round window of a helicopter, through which a clear view of waterlogged buildings was visible. It was later taken down.
A similar photograph, but with a blurred view through the window, was posted on Modi’s personal Twitter feed (@narendramodi). Commentators on social media accused the PIB of digitally manipulating its version of the picture.
The prime minister’s office was shocked to see facts being distorted, said a senior official who declined to be named, adding that officials from the press office have been summoned to reinforce rules and regulations.
“We will not allow anyone to falsify the facts,” another official in Modi’s office said yesterday. “The prime minister will not tolerate this.”
The PIB said later that two pictures had been accidentally merged in an “error of judgement”.
“PIB regrets the release of the above mentioned picture,” it said.
Humorists published their own photoshopped images of Modi: One showed the premier looking through the helicopter window at planet Earth, as seen from the moon.
“Where no more countries are left to visit,” tweeted @brownbrumby, taking a jibe at Modi’s extensive foreign travel.
One showed Modi looking through the helicopter window as Superman flew by.
“Very silly of @PIB-India to photo-shop @PMOIndia aerial survey of Chennai,” tweeted Prashanth Rao.
“Worst photoshop ever!” tweeted Wilbur Sargunaraj. “Why does our PM need false and exaggerated propaganda???”
The prime minister is a prolific tweeter with more than 16mn followers.
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