Every Indian kid who grew up in the 90’s saw their country under the governance of Atal Bihari Vajypayee. He was a figure of benevolence, immense knowledge, leadership and an excellent poet. And while we might’ve been too young to understand his political decisions, we’re certainly old enough now to recognise how he upheld a sense of democracy in India. So, it was heart-breaking to hear about his passing on August 16th, 2018.
The whole country came to a standstill to absorb the impact of the former Prime Minister’s demise. People from all around the globe came together to share their memories of him. However, a certain group of people managed to tarnish this somber moment with a fake photo of him at AIIMS.
According to India.com, a photo of a deceased person that people are claiming to be that of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s, has gone viral. However, it’s actually fake.
The photo shown above is the one that people in India are claiming to be clicked right after Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s demise. And the doctors who’re surrounding the stretcher belong to AIIMS. But, the truth of the matter is that the photo is from 2012 and was clicked in China. The body that’s in the pictures is that of a girl who donated her organs after her death. That’s why the doctors were bowing to her to respect her actions.
The probable reason why this is going viral is because it’s public knowledge that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted in AIIMS. However, no matter what the intent is, claiming such a photo was taken is plain wrong.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 and the reputed institution was kind enough to keep people updated about his condition. However, the only information that has come out of AIIMS prior to the leader’s death is a letter condoling his passing. So, even though the intention behind the fake photo might’ve been to emulate the doctors’ respect for Vajpayee, this isn’t the way to do so.
Fake news has been a growing concern as it has been the reason for a lot of crimes in our country. And, by the looks of it, the people who spread such information hasn’t spared the late Prime Minister. However, since the truth has come out, please refrain from spreading it further if anyone forwards this photo to you. Let’s remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee with real memories of his and make sure the fake ones are deleted from existence.