Kevadia (Gujarat): An FIR has been registered after a social media post alleged that “cracks” have appeared on the Statue of Unity, raising fears about the statue’s stability. The 182-metre tall statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is a prominent tourist attraction located in Kevadia, Narmada district.
The post, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the handle “RaGa4India” on September 8, claimed that the statue could “fall anytime” due to cracks. It also included an old photograph of the statue, seemingly from its construction phase. The post has since been deleted.
The police have initiated a case against an unidentified individual under Section 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). This section deals with the dissemination of false information or rumors intended to create fear or alarm among the public. The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Abhishek Ranjan Sinha, Deputy Collector of Unit-1, Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority.
According to the FIR, the spread of such misinformation aims to create fear and disturb public peace. The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2018, is a major draw for tourists and regularly attracts large crowds.
