A fake news on Durga Puja has been doing the rounds over the past few hours over WhatsApp, leading the West Bengal Police to announce on social media that they are on the lookout for those responsible for spreading it.
A “news” has been circulating via WhatsApp that curfew would be imposed during the night for all Durga Puja days. Several other “restrictions” have been mentioned in the WhatsApp. A furious chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced at a press conference on Tuesday at Nabanna — the state administrative headquarters — that the culprit would be severely punished. “No such decision has been taken. If anyone can prove that such a decision has been taken by the government, I will hold my ears and do a 100 sit-ups,” Banerjee said. Those responsible for spreading such fake news would have to do the same otherwise, Banerjee warned.
On Tuesday morning, the West Bengal Police from its official Twitter account @WBPolice tweeted: “A rumour regarding Durga Puja is being spread through WhatsApp. No such decision has been taken. Please do not forward this message. It’s fake. Action is being taken. #FakeNewsAlert”. The Police authorities said that they are trying to locate the person(s) responsible for spreading such rumours.
Banerjee clarified that no detailed decisions have yet been taken regarding Durga Puja in view of the pandemic situation. “All celebrations for festivals for the past few months have been curtailed due to the pandemic. But Durga Puja is still weeks away, and discussions will be held and we will be able to figure out what the celebrations would be like. But as of now, no meetings have been held nor any detailed decisions arrived at,” she clarified.
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