Fact Check: Did PM Modi Write Congratulatory Letter To CJI Gogoi After Ayodhya Verdict?

Ever since the significant verdict in the Ayodhya case, the Narendra Modi government has been keeping a close watch on the cyber world to make sure that no unfounded rumour gains traction and creates trouble. However, recently a letter surfaced online that was claimed to be written by none other than Prime Minister Modi to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Soon, the social media was flooded with the screenshots of the viral letter. Bulk of these messages originated from Bangladesh.

“Let me begin by congratulating you and your bench Justice SA Bobde, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan & Justice S Abdul Nazeer for your stupendous contribution to Hindu Rashtra. Hindus will always be grateful to you and your team for your commendable and memorable decision, which will make a new history for Hindu Rashtra. I wish you and your family the very best for your future endeavours and once again congratulate you for this remarkable decision. Thank you for the wonderful support at this crucial time,” the letter read.

FAKE, FAKE, FAKE!

The letter was found to be fake. Though the fraudsters tried to create an impression of authenticity by using India’s National Emblem. However, the letter is fake. Fact-checking website Boomlive also said that the signature of PM Modi in the letter is fake. India has officially released a statement saying that the letter doing the rounds is fake.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar condemned those responsible for deliberately spreading such fake news, saying it was an attempt to undermine friendship between people of India and Bangladesh. "We strongly condemn those responsible for deliberately spreading such fake and malicious news, to divide communities, create disharmony and undermine friendship between the people of India and Bangladesh," Kumar tweeted.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, in a statement, too said the letter is completely fake. "It has come to the notice of the High Commission that a letter said to have been written by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to Chief Justice of India is being circulated in the local media," the High Commission said. "This letter is completely fake and malicious. It is intended to mislead people in Bangladesh and create social disharmony," it said.

The only time PM Modi commented on Ayodhya verdict was when he tweeted about it and addressed nation in a TV broadcast.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter to spread the message of harmony. “The Honourable Supreme Court has given its verdict on the Ayodhya issue. This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody. Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti. May peace and harmony prevail!,” the Prime Minister said in one the tweets. In one of the most important and most anticipated judgements in India's history, a 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi put an end to the more than a century old dispute.

Talking about the judgment, the Prime Minister said that, “SC’s Ayodhya Judgment is notable because: It highlights that any dispute can be amicably solved in the spirit of due process of law. It reaffirms the independence, transparency and farsightedness of our judiciary. It clearly illustrates everybody is equal before the law.”

“The halls of justice have amicably concluded a matter going on for decades. Every side, every point of view was given adequate time and opportunity to express differing points of view. This verdict will further increase people’s faith in judicial processes,” PM Modi said in series of tweets.

Lauding the general public’s peaceful outlook, the Prime Minister said that, “The calm and peace maintained by 130 crore Indians in the run-up to today’s verdict manifests India’s inherent commitment to peaceful coexistence. May this very spirit of unity and togetherness power the development trajectory of our nation. May every Indian be empowered.”

THE VERDICT

The Supreme Court on November 9 backed the construction of a Ram temple by a government trust at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in the holy town.