An old photo is being falsely shared on social media as showing a BJP flag being waved at the ongoing Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan in Sri Lanka. The photo, which was taken in June 2023 during the ICC World Test Championship, shows spectators holding a flag with the BJP's lotus symbol. However, the flag in the photo is actually the flag of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC).
The false photo was first shared on Twitter on August 28, 2023, with the caption "BJP flags being waved in the stadium during the India vs. Pakistan match." The photo quickly went viral, with many people believing that it was genuine.
India TV did a fact check
The viral photo of a cricket fan holding a BJP flag was taken during the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London, United Kingdom.
The India TV fact check team found that the photo was taken on June 7, 2023, the first day of the match. The final was played from June 7 to June 11, 2023, and Australia won by 209 runs.
The photo was first shared by India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai on Twitter, with the caption, "Spotted at the Oval: just a reminder, this is India Vs Australia folks! #WTC2023"
The photo quickly went viral, with some people criticising the fan for bringing a political flag to a sporting event. Others defended the fan, saying that they were simply expressing their support for the BJP.
The ICC has not commented on the incident. However, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rules state that political messages are not allowed at cricket matches.
The photo has sparked a debate about the role of politics in sport. Some people believe that sport should be kept separate from politics, while others believe that it is okay to express political views at sporting events.
This is not the first time that a false photo has been shared on social media during the Asia Cup. In July 2023, a photo of a man wearing a Pakistani flag as a cape was falsely shared as showing an Indian fan supporting Pakistan. It is important to be critical of the information that you see on social media and to verify the authenticity of photos before sharing them.
Here are some tips for spotting fake images:
- Look for inconsistencies in the image. For example, are the shadows in the wrong place? Are the colors unrealistic?
- Check the source of the image. Is it from a reputable website or social media account?
- Do a reverse image search. This will help you find out where the image has been used before.
- If you are unsure about the authenticity of an image, it is best to avoid sharing it.
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