Social Media Post Claims Statue of Unity Is Crumbling, Police File Case

A case has been filed against an unidentified individual following a social media post that alleged the Statue of Unity in Gujarat is developing cracks and could potentially collapse. The post, published on X (formerly Twitter) on September 8, claimed the 182-meter-tall statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was at risk. The post, written in Hindi, also included an old photograph from the statue’s construction phase.

Details of the Post and Investigation

The post, made from the handle “RaGa4India,” sparked concern by suggesting that the statue could fall due to these supposed cracks. The photo included was outdated and did not reflect the current state of the statue. The social media user has since deleted the post.

In response, police have filed a case under section 353 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which deals with spreading false information or rumors intended to create fear or alarm. The complaint was lodged by Abhishek Ranjan Sinha, Deputy Collector, Unit-1, Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority.

Official Response and Impact

Authorities have stated that the post aimed to incite panic and disrupt public peace. The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2018, remains a significant tourist attraction, drawing large crowds since its opening.