In view of the ongoing preparations for the G20 event in Srinagar, as walls are being repainted and security is beefed up across Kashmir’s summer capital, an image is being circulated on social media with the false claim that the image is from Srinagar.
Jammu Kashmir administration is actively involved in propagating the development on social media including on Twitter. On May 18, J-K admin tweeted a photo from its DIPR Budgam handle, however, social media users were too quick to respond and retorted the claim as false.
DIPR Budgam has tweeted a photo claiming that the photo was taken at Srinagar’s Boulevard amid the ongoing preparations for G20. The photo showed a solitary road adorned with street lights and colorful tiles, and the caption read: “Boulevard Road, leading to the venue for the G20 Meeting in Srinagar, has been given a new look to warmly welcome delegates from around the globe.” The tweet was subsequently shared by Information and PR, J&K, on their Twitter handle.
The claim, however, was false, as the photograph was from Bangladesh. The Kashmiriyat, found that a Facebook page named Jhautola Patuakhali । ঝাউতলা পটুয়াখালী has the image posted by DIPR as its profile photo since February. DIPR later deleted the tweet.
Various news outlets also carried the news. Twitter Handle Daily Nigran tweeted the photo with a similar claim.
G20 Roads…
Boulevard@g20org @PIBHomeAffairs @srinagaradmin @ChinarcorpsIA pic.twitter.com/1F5TJT7mrZ— DAILY NIGRAAN روز نامہ نگران (@DNigraan) May 18, 2023
Reddit also shared the photo captioned “Srinagar all set to host G20”
Though the tweet was deleted by official handle of DIPR, however, several social media users have been peddling the misinformation and spreading it further through proxy Facebook pages.
A Social media user called cricketer Shahid Afridi and tweeted the same photograph claiming it was from Srinagar’s Boulevard area. “Hello shahid Afridi, you are the puppet of Pakistani army and terrorist lover . This is Boulevard Road in Srinagar has been given a magnificent makeover to welcome delegates from across the world for the #G20Kashmir summit. Retweet it,” social media user Aquib Mir wrote.
Hello shahid Afridi, you are the puppet of Pakistani army and terrorist lover .
This is Boulevard Road in Srinagar has been given a magnificent makeover to welcome delegates from across the world for the #G20Kashmir summit.
Retweet it . #G20InKashmir pic.twitter.com/3kkWLFlBqT
— Aquib Mir (@aquibmir71) May 18, 2023
Wajahat Farooq, another social media user, “Witness the transformation! Boulevard Road in Srinagar has been given a magnificent makeover to welcome delegates from across the world for the #G20Kashmir summit. The road now radiates beauty, showcasing our commitment to hosting a remarkable event. Kudos to the@OfficeOfLGJandK Administration Government!” #G20” #G20InKashmir
Witness the transformation! Boulevard Road in Srinagar has been given a magnificent makeover to welcome delegates from across the world for the #G20Kashmir summit. The road now radiates beauty, showcasing our commitment to hosting a remarkable event.
Kudos to the… pic.twitter.com/XIhzjTznDU
— Wajahat Farooq Bhat (@Wajahatfarooqbt) May 18, 2023