Kirti Azad, a former cricketer and three-time MP from Darbhanga, Bihar, tweeted a graphic image titled, “SBI’s first female chairperson” which also contained a false quote attributed to the former SBI Chairperson, Arundhati Bhattacharya. The image claimed that after her retirement, Bhattacharya had said, “There is no freedom to speak in Modi government. Demonetization was a deadly decision”.
Source: Tweet
Fact Check
When DFRAC team searched using some keywords in this context, we could not find any statement from Bhattacharya related to this claim.
However, we did find a news article published by Chauthi Duniya dated 27th Oct, 2017 with the title “Former SBI chairperson spoke openly for the first time on demonetisation” (English Translation). According to the news, Bhattacharya said that banks should have been given more time to prepare for demonetization. She also said that if a new initiative is introduced, it is better to be prepared for it.
Source: chauthiduniya.com
In addition, Times of India also reported that Bhattacharya stated that banks should have been given more time to prepare for demonetization.
Source: Times of India
Conclusion
Therefore, it is clear from this fact check that the claim made by Kirti Azad is false, as there is no evidence of Bhattacharya making the statement that there is no freedom to speak in the Modi government.
