PIB Fact Check Debunks Viral Claim Attributed To President Murmu

The official PIB Fact Check handle on X has rejected a viral social media claim that falsely attributed a statement to President Droupadi Murmu.

The misleading post alleged that the President had directed chief ministers to resign if their respective state governments failed to take action in rape cases within 24 hours.

PIB Fact Check categorically termed the claim fabricated. It clarified that the President made no such remark and issued no ultimatum to state leaders.

An Instagram post circulating on social media states that President Droupadi Murmu said that ‘if a rape occurs in any state and the State government does not take action within 24 hours, the Chief Minister of that state should immediately resign.’#PIBFactCheck

✅ This claim is… pic.twitter.com/oBfcnJQnFm

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) February 11, 2026

The agency urged citizens to rely solely on verified government communications.

The false narrative originated from an Instagram post that gained rapid traction across platforms.

The timing coincided with intense national debate on women’s safety, particularly following the widely reported rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.

Public sentiment remains sensitive amid demands for stronger legal enforcement and institutional accountability.

President Murmu has consistently condemned crimes against women and called for collective societal responsibility.

However, she has not advocated the resignation of chief ministers in connection with delayed action in individual criminal cases.

PIB Fact Check underscored this distinction to prevent misinterpretation of the President’s position.

The fact-checking unit tagged Rashtrapati Bhavan in its clarification to reinforce authenticity. It emphasised that official statements from the President’s office appear only through designated government channels.

By doing so, it sought to curb the spread of misinformation and discourage the amplification of unverified claims.

The intervention highlights the growing challenge of digital misinformation, particularly on issues involving gender-based violence.

False attributions to constitutional authorities risk inflaming public sentiment and undermining institutional credibility.

Government fact-check mechanisms have increasingly adopted proactive communication strategies to address viral inaccuracies swiftly.

PIB Fact Check reiterated the importance of verifying content before sharing it online.

The episode illustrates how rapidly unverified narratives can circulate during emotionally charged public discourse. It also reaffirms the role of institutional fact-checking in preserving informational integrity and preventing unwarranted escalation.

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