BJP files complaint against journalist for morphed Modi photo

A morphed image showed PM Modi bowing to touch the feet of Saudi Arabia's King Salman

The BJP on Monday filed a complaint against a journalist for posting a morphed picture that showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowing down to touch the feet of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on his personal Facebook account.

The complaint was filed against the person, who works with a private news channel, with the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police by Arvind Gupta, the party's technology cell in-charge. "We have filed a complaint. The Cyber Cell will take due action in this regard," media reports quote Gupta. 

The morphed picture of PM Modi was posted by CNN-IBN journalist Raghav Chopra, soon after the PM's return from Saudi Arabia, a part of his five-day three-nation tour. While the post was deleted from the journalist's Facebook account, screen grabs of it were already captured and circulated over social media, states media reports.

 

The morphed image invited anger and backlash on all social media networks.

BJP MP Maheish Girri called the attention of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Information and Broadcast Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Twitter, highlighting the post as he demanded action against Chopra.

Outside India, PM represents the nation. By showing PM @narendramodi as bowing to the Saudi King, @AarSee has insulted India.

— Maheish Girri (@MaheishGirri) April 3, 2016

So @ibnlive editor photoshops image of @narendramodi ji wid sole intention of dfaming him. Hatred overriding ethics? pic.twitter.com/RgwPDK5I8D

— Maheish Girri (@MaheishGirri) April 3, 2016

In response, Rathore said that he instructed the Information and Broadcast ministry to review the violations. He further added that he would seek the help of Communications and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in this regard.

Dear Shri @MaheishGirri Ji, I have instructed @MIB_India to review the violations.Will seek help of @rsprasad Ji too https://t.co/Sci1ewtr1E

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) April 3, 2016

Meanwhile Chopra has expressed regret over the post, apologising for it on Twitter. 

"I sincerely regret posting a morphed picture of the PM on my Facebook page. I should have also verified its authenticity before tweeting it. I apologise to everyone concerned for this unfortunate error on my part," he said.

I apologise to everyone concerned for this unfortunate error on my part.

— Raghav Chopra (@AarSee) April 4, 2016

CNN-IBN on its part also apologised, saying "The organisation was not aware of this unfortunate lapse of judgment. We apologise to everyone for this confusion & deeply regret the error."

The organisation was not aware of this unfortunate lapse of judgement. We apologise to everyone for this confusion & deeply regret the error

— CNN-IBN News (@ibnlive) April 4, 2016