A false claim that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a 7 rupee coin in honor of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently went viral on social media. The claim, accompanied by a doctored image of the coin, suggested that it would recognize Dhoni’s contributions to Indian cricket. However, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) confirmed this claim to be false.

GDP response

Sharing the viral image, PIB tweeted: “The claim made in the image is #fake. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has made NO such announcement. The tweet tagged key government organizations such as the Finance Ministry, DD News and All India Radio News to amplify the clarification.

Despite these clarifications, the fake news had already gained traction, with many social media users believing and sharing the image. This incident highlights the risks of disseminating unverified information, which could mislead the public.

How to identify fake news

Cases like these highlight the importance of fact-checking. Tools such as Google Reverse Image Search can trace the origin of viral images, while using time and date filters can identify when allegations first appeared. For sensitive content, local authorities may be consulted for verification.

About RBI

Established on April 1, 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, the RBI regulates the financial stability of India, supervises the banking sector and supervises the issuance of foreign exchange.

Stay vigilant

Citizens are encouraged to verify claims before sharing them. Disseminating unverified information can cause confusion and unnecessary panic. Reliable sources such as PIB and fact-checking platforms should be relied upon to ensure the authenticity of these claims.