President Kovind unveils portrait of Netaji, Opportunists call it actor’s pic, start trolling

New Delhi: A major controversy has broken out over the unveiling of portrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday.

The portrait was unveiled in the honour of legendary freedom fighter and also to mark the beginning of year-long celebrations to commemorate his 125th birth anniversary.

However, a Twitter storm has broken out over this portrait as Opportunists have given a spin to the issue, claiming that the poster is not of Netaji Bose but of a well-known actor Prsoenjit Chatterjee.

Trolling has begun over Netaji’s portrait and this includes noted politicians from opposition parties. It may be noted that Chatterjee had essayed the character of Netaji Bose in the movie called Gumnami directed by Srijit Mukherjee.

Political rivalry over contentious issues is a healthy practice in democracy but attempt to score political points in name of a freedom fighter like Bose is totally uncalled for. More so, stoking controversy over the constitutional posts like that of President speaks volumes about falling political discourse of the nation. The portrait of Netaji unveiled by President Kovind is authentic and taken from credible sources but opportunists have stooped too low to target the President and in turn, the incumbent Modi government.

But, the trollers have no basis behind their agenda. They stand exposed as Subhas Chandra Bose’s portrait has been shared by none other than latter’s grand nephew Chandra Kumar Bose. Also, top sources reveal that the original photograph of Netaji Bose unveiled at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was sourced from Jayanti Bose Rakshit, who is Netaji’s grand niece.

Senior journalist Nistula Hebbar also claimed that the portrait of Netaji is by Paresh Maity, a Padma Shri painter, based on his original photo.

Storm in a tea cup. 1. Portrait of Netaji by Paresh Maity based on his original photo. 2. Prosenjit as Netaji. 1. , 2. pic.twitter.com/cJTIGpZmeq

— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) January 25, 2021

Among those were part of trollers included Congress, TMC and noted public personalities. These are apparently part of ‘troll gang’ who smell opportunity on any issue of national importance and jump in the fray to target the government and its ministers.

Tag the Congress IT Cell whatsapp group journalists sharing Fake News on Netaji. pic.twitter.com/XeH0zB7vwM

— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) January 25, 2021

Troll gang denounced by Twitter users

After the controversy escalated, many netizens took to Twitter to call out those stoking controversy. Many Twitter users spoke against the fake propaganda of opportunists and their vicious attempt to needle government over unnecessary controversy.