PM Modi Jhalmuri Row: Government Rejects Viral Claim About Vendor Being Security Personnel

A viral social media claim alleging that a jhalmuri vendor visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent campaign in West Bengal was actually an undercover security guard has been dismissed as false by the government.

The claim began circulating shortly after visuals of Modi stopping at a roadside jhalmuri stall during an  campaign stop went viral. Several social media posts suggested that the vendor was not a genuine local trader but a member of the Special Protection Group (SPG), deployed as part of the Prime Minister’s security detail. The posts implied that the interaction had been staged, triggering debate over the authenticity of the moment.

Government officials, however, have firmly rejected these allegations. In an official clarification, authorities described the claim as “fake” and confirmed that the individual seen in the video is indeed a local vendor who runs the stall. They reiterated that there was no involvement of any security personnel posing as civilians in the interaction, calling the viral narrative misleading and baseless.

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The controversy stems from Modi’s visit to Jhargram, where he briefly paused during his campaign trail to engage with the vendor, a moment that was captured on camera and widely shared online. Such interactions are often highlighted in political campaigns to showcase a leader’s connection with ordinary citizens. Supporters viewed the gesture as a reflection of grassroots outreach, while critics questioned whether the event had been carefully orchestrated.

Adding to the political backdrop, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the episode, suggesting that the setting appeared pre-arranged. She pointed to the presence of cameras and other elements at the location, alleging that the scene was part of a planned publicity exercise rather than a spontaneous interaction. Her remarks further fueled online discussions and competing narratives around the incident.

The episode underscores the speed at which misinformation can spread during high-stakes election periods, particularly when widely viewed visuals are open to interpretation. Officials have urged citizens to rely on verified information and exercise caution before sharing unconfirmed claims on social media platforms. They emphasized that the vendor involved is a genuine local resident, and the viral assertion linking him to security agencies is entirely unfounded.

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