New Delhi, August 18: An old fake news that UNESCO has declared the Indian National Anthem Jana Gana Mana as the best in the world resurfaced on social media after Janata Dal (United) leader Dr Ajay Alok shared the rumour on Twitter. "A few moments ago, UNESCO declared our national anthem Jana Gana Mana as the best. Congratulations to everyone. Hope nobody will say that Modi-Shah managed this," Dr Ajay Alok tweeted in Hindi.

When other Twitter users made him realise that he shared fake news, Dr Ajay Alok refused to delete his tweet. Despite facing flak, the JD(U) leader said even if UNESCO declaring Jana Gana Mana as the best is fake news, it makes him happy as India's national anthem is being discussed globally. A war of words also erupted between Alok and Congress's Bihar unit on Twitter. Fake News on Jammu and Kashmir? MHA Asks Twitter to Suspend Eight Accounts For Spreading Rumours on Situation in Valley After Article 370 Abrogation.

"Just adding prefix Dr won't hide your stupidity. Is this coming from WhatsApp University or result of the honey-tongued approach," read a tweet from Bihar's Congress unit. Reacting to this, Dr Ajay Alok asked why Congress party gets unhappy whenever the country did something great. The grand old party hit back questioning the JD(U) leader's educational qualifications.

Dr Ajay Alok's Tweet And Congress's Reaction:

"Did you obtain a medical degree from Vyapam or topper scam? UNESCO never made any such announcement...Instead of spreading fake news, better focus on why India slipped to the seventh spot in GDP rankings...India was, is and will remain great. Jai Hind," the Congress party tweeted. Unfazed Dr Ajay Alok then asked the grand old party to look after its leader.

The fake news that UNESCO has declared Jana Gana Mana as the best national anthem first surfaced in 2008. Several people received hoax e-mail making this false claim. WhatsApp users also got this wrong information. A leading news channel then wrote to the UNESCO asking for details and clarifications regarding this 'announcement'.

"We are aware of several blogs in India reporting this story, but can assure you that UNESCO has made no such announcement concerning the anthem of India or any country," Sue Williams, Chief, Editorial, Press Relations and Unesco Courier, Bureau of Public Information, UNESCO, said in response. Despite UNESCO's clarification, this fake news is still in circulation on social media.

Fact check

Did UNESCO Declare Indian National Anthem Jana Gana Mana Best in The World? Old Fake News Resurfaces Thanks to JD(U) Leader Dr Ajay Alok
Claim :

UNESCO has declared the Indian National Anthem Jana Gana Mana as the best in the world.

Conclusion :

No, UNESCO didn't make any such announcement.

Full of Trash
Clean

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2019 04:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).