The internet was ablaze with discussions about the side effects of the Covishield vaccine, stirring up a frenzy across online platforms. Amidst this, rumors circulated claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image had been removed from Covid certificates. The opposition party, Congress, seized upon this opportunity to push their agenda, while certain newspapers including The Hindu, devoid of fact-checking, eagerly spread the false narrative. Initially, speculation pointed towards various reasons for the alleged removal, but it was later clarified that it was actually due to the implementation of the model code of conduct. This revelation left those involved in spreading the misinformation feeling embarrassed and exposed.
Recently, there has been a controversy surrounding the Covishield vaccine following AstraZeneca’s acknowledgment in the UK High Court that the vaccine can, albeit extremely rarely, lead to Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a condition characterized by blood clots and low blood platelet count, It was also clarified that symptoms would appear within 42 days, so there’s no reason to panic.
An internet user remarked “Modi ji no more visible on Covid Vaccine certificates, Just downloaded to check – yes, his pic is gone,”
Modi ji no more visible on Covid Vaccine certificates
Just downloaded to check – yes, his pic is gone 😂#Covishield #vaccineSideEffects #Nomorepicture #CovidVaccines pic.twitter.com/nvvnI9ZqvC
— Sandeep Manudhane (@sandeep_PT) May 1, 2024
Another account affiliated with Congress also mentioned that only the QR code remained visible, with the Prime Minister’s photo having disappeared. He stated, “Yes, I just checked and PM Modi’s photo has disappeared and there is only a QR code instead of his photo. Guys, Please check your covid vaccination certificate”
Hi @BhavikaKapoor5 ,
Yes, I just checked and PM Modi’s photo has disappeared and there is only QR code instead of his photo.
Guys, please check your covid vaccination certificate. #LokSabhaElections2024 #covidshield https://t.co/tyhQ12oIhI
— Irfan Ali (@TweetOfIrfan) May 1, 2024
This narrative gained traction through respected outlets such as The Hindu, but was eventually retracted following pressure from online users who highlighted the truth. Ironically, in 2021, The Hindu reported that the Election Commission of India (ECI) requested the Health Ministry to find a solution within a few days to prevent COVID-19 vaccine certificates in poll-bound States and Union Territory from featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo while the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in effect. The certificates, which recipients could download from the CoWIN portal and app, violated the EC’s guidelines against using images of living political figures in government advertisements during elections. An EC official emphasized the importance of adhering to the MCC and instructed the Ministry to devise a technical solution to remove the photo promptly. The elections for the Assemblies of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry were announced on February 26, overlapping with the vaccination drive that started in January. The Trinamool Congress raised concerns with the EC, urging the removal of the photo. Yet it has peddled the narrative.
The Hindu updated the caption rightly now. pic.twitter.com/Op63ebYhQg
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) May 2, 2024
Netizens has jumped in to clarify what was previously stated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasizing that Modi’s photo was excluded from the vaccine certificates because of the Model Code of Conduct being enforced during the current Lok Sabha elections. This isn’t the first instance of the Prime Minister’s photo being removed from such certificates. During the assembly elections in five states in 2022 (Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa), the Election Commission of India directed the removal of Modi’s photo from the certificates.
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