Cracks on Statue of Unity? PIB debunks claims; FIR registered against social media user

The Government of India (GoI) has debunked a viral claim that cracks have started appearing in the ‘Statue of Unity’. Recently, a photo circulated on social media claimed that the world’s tallest statue in Gujarat would soon collapse due to cracks. However, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has conducted a fact-check and made it clear that the claim is ‘false’.

In a post on X, PIB stated, “The viral photo is from the construction of the Statue of Unity in 2018.” It should be noted that the 597-foot statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel remains intact. The government further clarified that the image is misleading and has termed the claim fake.

The 182-meter tall statue, built in Kevadia in the Narmada district as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of independent India, is a major tourist attraction.




The police have now registered a case against an unidentified person. A post written in Hindi on the handle "RaGa4India" at 9:52 am on September 8 stated that the statue "can fall anytime as cracks have started appearing on it."

The post also included an old photograph of the structure, which appeared to be from the time of its construction.

The post is no longer available for viewing as the X user has since deleted it.

A case was registered under Section 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to making, publishing, or circulating false statements, information, rumors, or reports to cause fear or alarm to the public, the official said.

The FIR was registered based on a complaint by Abhishek Ranjan Sinha, deputy collector, Unit-1, Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority.

"By spreading such false news, an attempt has been made to create fear among the people and disturb the peace," the FIR stated.