In the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, there has been a surge in fake social media posts doing the rounds that appear in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name.
The fake messages are appearing on instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp and on social media platforms in the form of various appeals or statements. One month ago, the Prime minister's Office had even asked social media users to not fall prey to fake posts in the prime minister's name. The PMO had tweeted an image sample of such fake posts.
One such message, falsely attributed to the PM that is doing the rounds, involved an appeal to the public to avoid buying Chinese crackers for the coming festival season. The appeal urges the public to boycott these consumer items as a counter measure to China's decision to continue blocking India's attempts at the UN to get Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Masood Azhar recognised as a globally designated terrorist. If Azhar is declared a global terrorist, it would force Pakistan to freeze his assets and bank accounts. But this move is being blocked by China citing technical grounds.
After the PMO issued a warning to ignore such inauthentic messages, it attracted calls from many users who urged the relevant authorities to crack down against the source of these fake messages.
