Bollywood actor and producer Farhan Akhtar is in the eye of the storm after a message attributed to him started circulating on social media. According to the message, the actor is justifying the death of those who were killed in the communal violence that erupted in Kasganj, U.P on Republic day. The quote attributed to him says, “It was Jumma (friday) on 26th January. Had Hindus not taken tiranga march through muslim majority area of Kasganj and raised provocative slogans like Vande Mataram they couldn’t have been killed”.

Thus according to this quote, Akhtar is justifying the death of the Hindu victim in the clash at Kasganj. He also apparently calls ‘Vande Mataram’ a provocative slogan.

Gaurav Pradhan, who tweeted about this, is a repeat offender. He has been caught spreading fake news in the past as well. He is among those who are followed on twitter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pradhan tweeted the image with the stamp of Postcard News on it. Postcard News is a leading purveyor of fake news with the objective of inciting communal hatred, and has been exposed on earlier occasions by Alt News.

The said quote is viral on twitter and on facebook, and is being shared in number of pages and groups where Akhtar is described as a ‘jihadi’.

Akhtar came out with a clarification, tweeting that he had never said what is being attributed to him by nefarious elements on social media and urged his fans and followers to be cautious about what and what not to believe on social media.

. @TwitterIndia this is a malicious tweet with a statement that I did not make being ascribed to me. Kindly take necessary action against this user. https://t.co/wKuOUGOkhc — Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) January 30, 2018 To my followers and other users of this platform,

Please be very cautious about what you choose to believe on social media. There are sinister forces at work trying their best to foster hate. Be aware of it and do your research before believing and/or reacting to anything. — Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) January 30, 2018

Gaurav Pradhan deleted his tweet after Akhtar’s clarification. However, instead of an unqualified apology, Pradhan sought to justify his act, indulging in whataboutery.

Thanks for clarification @FarOutAkhtar BUT the larger question is where is ur intolerant Brigade mom dad who jump on every issue?? Why they take so many sleeping pills? या सांप सूंघ गया #KasganjTruth के नाम पे https://t.co/82mmmwPiL1 — #GauravPradhan 🇮🇳 (@DrGPradhan) January 30, 2018

The far-right ecosystem on social media is known to spread mischievous and misleading information time and again, despite being exposed repeatedly. The incessant nature of their campaign is directed at keeping communal tension high, seeking to divide communities through provocative content. Farhan Akhtar is only the latest victim of this malicious propaganda.

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