ANI (Asian News International) has filed an FIR on Tuesday, April 14 in relation to a fake tweet which was on behalf of Indian PM Modi who at present is reported to be in Canada.
As per the so-called tweet, “My love for Germany goes back. When I was a small boy in Guj my only friend was a German shepherd: PM #ModiInGermany”
The Prime Minister has been on a tour of 3 nations.
Subsequent to fake tweet’s being viral, agency stated,
This is a photoshopped tweet. ANI has got nothing to do with it. Legal action will be taken against those responsible pic.twitter.com/CZcWnFJgX8
— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2015
Sanjiv Prakash, ANI’s Editor-in-Chief, gave assurance of the FIR being filed with Delhi Police’s EOW (Economic Offences Wing).
According to him, “We have been subjected to a fake tweet and keeping with the provisions of law, we have filed a complaint with the cyber cell of the EOW.”
Undoubtedly, an uproar emerged on social networking and media sites with regard to this fake tweet. At this, Smita Prakash who is ANI’s Editor gave the below clarification by her tweet:
. @AapChorHain @ANI_news @AamAadmiParty its a fake tweet. ANI did not tweet this nor did the PM say it. Forgery
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) April 14, 2015
Many articulated anger and indignation concerning that tweet said to be tweeted by Modi as well as were in support of ANI.
That fake/photoshopped tweet is outrageous.. Shocking some low life could do this. Glad ANI is taking legal action.. This is criminal
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) April 14, 2015
Not even one of those who plugged in the fake tweet think .. there was something odd about @ANI_news spelling it as 'Shephard' ?
No one?— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) April 14, 2015
Now ppl faking @ANI_news tweet to malign PM Modi!Latest in series of blatant lies.Shows opposition getting desperate https://t.co/5YbohRR33Q
— Smita Barooah (@smitabarooah) April 14, 2015
When there were guesses and assumptions regarding how the fake tweet originated, Smita’s tweet came into view stating that Ankit Lal, a blogger and online activist, spread that fake tweet.
This is a photoshopped tweet by @ankitlal . ANI did not tweet it nor did the PM say it. https://t.co/OuC2Hft278
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) April 14, 2015
Ankit Lal replied to Smita’s allegations, saying
.@smitaprakash, the kind of things Modi ji is speaking on tour I didn't find the statement exceptional. That's why tweeted without verifying
— Ankit Lal 🏹 (@AnkitLal) April 14, 2015
.@smitaprakash However I do realize that I should have verified the authenticity of the Tweet which I didn't and my apologies fr it.
— Ankit Lal 🏹 (@AnkitLal) April 14, 2015
.@smitaprakash @ashu3page Plz chk timings of Tweet! pic.twitter.com/5lRsOlleuI
— Ankit Lal 🏹 (@AnkitLal) April 14, 2015
Ankit Lal was blocked by Smita on Twitter. Ankita tweeted this in response:
.@smitaprakash, why have you blocked me? First you make a false allegation and then block me when I try to put the truth across?
— Ankit Lal 🏹 (@AnkitLal) April 14, 2015
Nice to know that @ANI_news has filed a complaint.
Will @smitaprakash apologize fr her Tweets alleging me of photoshop if proved otherwise?
— Ankit Lal 🏹 (@AnkitLal) April 14, 2015