Viral Photo of Leaders with PM Modi Misleadingly Contextualized

A photo of prominent Indian leaders, including former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, President Draupadi Murmu, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, is circulating on social media with misleading claims. The image depicts the leaders standing with folded hands before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to sarcastic interpretations suggesting a lack of respect for their constitutional positions.

Vishvas News conducted an investigation into the claim and found that the image is not recent; it dates back nearly two years. The photograph was captured during a commemoration event for Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, where the leaders exchanged greetings after posing for a group photo. The context of the image has been misrepresented, leading to an inaccurate narrative that has gained traction online.

The viral post, shared on platforms like Facebook, included a caption criticizing the perceived subordination of constitutional figures to the Prime Minister. The user accused the leaders of lacking respect for their roles, stating, “The given photo includes President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. According to the Constitution, these three posts are above Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but see how all three are standing in a queue with folded hands in front of him.”

To verify the authenticity of the claim, Vishvas News conducted a search and discovered a related video on PM Modi’s official YouTube channel, posted on December 6, 2023. The video captures the event commemorating Dr. Ambedkar’s death anniversary, with PM Modi arriving and paying his respects. At approximately the 8-minute and 40-second mark, he is seen greeting the dignitaries. The moment when leaders exchanged greetings with folded hands was a brief interaction after the official photo session.

According to a report on Dainik Jagran‘s website dated July 22, 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his vice-presidential position on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. This resignation took place on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, further intensifying political discussions in the country.

This misleading photo has circulated previously, prompting similar investigations. During an earlier inquiry, Vishvas News contacted Avnish Tyagi, a spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh, who stated that the claims were unfounded and aimed at damaging the reputations of these leaders.

The social media user responsible for disseminating the misleading image was identified as a resident of Uttar Pradesh, with a following of approximately 66,000 people. Their posts reflect a particular ideological perspective, which may contribute to the spread of misinformation.

In conclusion, Vishvas News confirmed that the viral image is two years old and was taken out of context. The leaders were engaged in a moment of courtesy rather than demonstrating any form of disrespect.

Understanding the truth behind viral claims is essential, and Vishvas News encourages readers to reach out if they encounter information that seems questionable. Your right to know the truth is paramount, especially when misinformation can have broader societal impacts.