Netizens immediately questioned the authenticity of these photographs featuring Modi doing an aerial survey of flood-hit Chennai.
After Modi visited Chennai on Thursday and announced a relief fund of Rs 1000 crore, two photographs showing him sitting in an airplane looking at the situation outside were uploaded. Noticeably the view in each of the photographs as seen by the PM was different. Press Information Bureau, a state-run outlet which issues official press releases and news updates uploaded these two photos on its website and twitter.
Issuing a clarification on Friday regarding the ‘merger of two pictures on PIB’s Twitter Handle and Website’, the information and broadcasting ministry said : “Pictures of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi undertaking the aerial survey of flood affected areas of Tamil Nadu were released on PIB Twitter Handle and PIB’s website last evening. Out of the seven pictures released, one picture used the technique of merging two pictures. This is being referred to as “Photoshopping” in sections of media. This happened due to error of judgement and the picture was subsequently deleted. PIB regrets the release of the above mentioned picture. Inconvenience caused is regretted.”
Twitterati started reporting the photos, with talks of them being ‘photoshopped’ going viral online. After the outrage on social media, the two photographs were removed.
Sources in PIB indicated that there was a goof up on their part and the situation could be handled better by keeping a check on the photographs being uploaded. “The image was clearly photoshopped and Yes! A goof up did take place,” added the source. The best way for them was to take down the photographs but the damage had already been done.