FACT CHECK BY LOGICALLY FACTS:
Verdict: [Fake]
Amul has clarified that it has not published any such advertisement.
What’s the claim?
A purported image of Amul girl asking people to “Vote or don't vote” is going viral on social media. The advertisement read in Hindi, “Vote or don't vote, take the right decision. Your vote is priceless”. It was widely shared on social media, including by Kiran Bedi, former lieutenant governor of Puducherry, on X. The post was viewed over 14,000 times.
The image was also shared on Facebook where it gained widespread traction. A user wrote in Hindi, “Your vote is priceless !! Truly the taste of India”.
However, the viral advertisement turned out to be false.
Findings of Fact Check
Amul took to X and called the advertisement as “fake”, issuing a statement (archive here) on May 6, 2024.
“We wish to inform you that a fake message featuring the Amul Girl is being shared on WhatsApp and social media. This advertisement has not been created by Amul. In the said post, the name of the creator of this fake advertisement is mentioned as "p kanil", against whom Amul will take legal action. Amul strongly urges all voters to vote in the ongoing elections and strengthen our democracy. We also request you to kindly share this fake advertisement alert with those who have shared the fake message with you,” the statement read.
All of Amul’s cartoon advertisements are published on its website (archive here) under a section called “Amil Hits”. Despite extensive search, the viral ad could not be located on the website.
Moreover, Amul has launched only three ads relating to the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The first ad (archive here) was issued during the first phase of polling on April 19, followed by a second ad (archive here) during the second phase on April 25, and the latest one (archive here) was shared during the third phase on May 6.
All official ads by Amul feature the "Amul — The Taste of India" logo, which is noticeably absent in the viral image. This absence raises questions about the authenticity of the image and its association with Amul's official advertising campaigns.
The verdict
This viral image falsely depicts the Amul girl in the viral advertisement to give the impression that Amul has created the ad. The ad was neither created by Amul nor published by it.
(Disclaimer: This story was originally published by LOGICALLY FACTS, and republished by India TV as part of the Shakti Collective.)
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