Viral Claim About PM Modi’s Jhalmuri Vendor Being SPG Officer Debunked

A social media post claiming that the roadside jhalmuri seller visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent campaign stop in West Bengal was actually a Special Protection Group (SPG) officer has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers and media investigations.

The viral meme, which included stitched-together unrelated images and the caption “Full time SPG and Part Time Jhal Moori Seller,” gained significant traction online following the Prime Minister’s April 10 visit to Jhargram in West Bengal. During this campaign stop, Modi was photographed making an apparently impromptu visit to a local stall to purchase jhalmuri, a popular Bengali street food made with puffed rice, onions, and various spices and condiments.

The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking wing swiftly addressed the misleading claim on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, declaring it “fake.” News agency IANS subsequently conducted an on-ground investigation that further confirmed the vendor was indeed a genuine local businessman, not security personnel.

The vendor himself, Vikram Shaw, spoke directly to reporters to refute the false narrative. In video interviews, Shaw shared details about his personal background, revealing he originally hails from Gaya in Bihar and received education through the ninth grade before establishing his small business.

The controversy gained additional political dimensions when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly questioned the authenticity of the Prime Minister’s interaction. On April 20, during a campaign rally, Banerjee alleged that the entire incident was staged and claimed the jhalmuri was actually prepared by an SPG commando rather than a genuine street vendor. She further questioned how cameras were positioned inside the small stall beforehand to capture the moment.

Political analysts note that such allegations reflect the intensely competitive nature of the ongoing general election campaign in West Bengal, a state where the ruling Trinamool Congress faces significant challenges from Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). West Bengal has emerged as a crucial battleground state with multiple phases of voting scheduled throughout April and May.

Local residents who witnessed the Prime Minister’s visit have contradicted Banerjee’s claims, describing the interaction as spontaneous rather than orchestrated. Eyewitness accounts gathered by reporters indicate that Modi engaged casually with Shaw and other citizens in the area, creating what appeared to be genuine moments of connection with voters.

The jhalmuri incident highlights the increasingly contentious nature of political campaigning in the digital age, where viral social media posts can rapidly spread misinformation. Fact-checkers point out that such fabricated narratives often aim to undermine the authenticity of political outreach efforts, particularly those designed to showcase candidates interacting with ordinary citizens.

Street food has long played a role in Indian political campaigns, with politicians frequently photographed enjoying local delicacies as a way to connect with voters and demonstrate appreciation for regional cultures. Jhalmuri, with its distinctive blend of puffed rice, peanuts, spices, and freshly chopped vegetables, remains one of West Bengal’s most beloved street foods.

As the election season continues, media watchdogs urge voters to critically evaluate viral claims and seek verification from multiple credible sources before accepting narratives shared on social media platforms.