An image is making rounds on the internet. Along with the image, a claim is being shared that -Municipalities across Canadian cities with high Indian populations have put posters in Hindi across the park and beaches asking Indians not to defecate in the open. The image has been shared by an account named Tanvir’s Backup account (@T_A_backup). Further, the user has written, “It is normal in India as Millions of them still don’t have the facility of a washroom and they defecate in the open.”
Following the user, other X users have also shared the image with similar claims.
Fact Check
We investigated the viral image by using a reverse image search. During the investigation, where we landed on a news article on a website named Graphic Online, dated Aug 01, 2018. The website showcased the original image with Ghana citizens in the poster and not Indians. Even the text written in the original image is not Hindi but in Ghana’s language.
The article mentioned that the poster was part of UNICEF’s Open Defecation campaign in Ghana, funded by Canada.
Ensuring Sustainability of Sanitation Services in India
According to the UNICEF India website, On October 2, 2019, India commemorated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary by achieving a significant milestone in sanitation efforts through the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). In just five years, the country successfully provided toilet access to over 105 million additional rural households, impacting more than 500 million individuals across 630,000 villages. This remarkable feat signifies a major step towards eliminating open defecation practices. As a proud partner in this monumental endeavor, UNICEF acknowledges the collective efforts that have transformed the lives of millions and propelled India towards a cleaner, healthier future
Conclusion
Henceforth, it is clear from the fact check that the image is digitally altered. It belongs to UNICEF’s campaign in Ghana.
DFRAC Analysis: Misleading
