A few days ago, an image of Sudha Murty, mother-in-law of British PM Rishi Sunak and wife of the chairperson of the multi-billion company Infosys, circulated on social media claiming that she has become a vegetable seller. The image showed her sitting on the ground surrounded by vegetables and she sells it every day on the footpath.
The Misconception & Sudha Murty’s Clarification
The fact is that this is an old image from 2020 and users back then too circulated the same self-invented story. An Indian Revenue Officer, Surbhi, @surbhig_ tweeted the fake story after being ill-informed about the incident.
Every year Sudha Murthy, wife of founder Infosys, spends one year selling vegetables to get rid of Ego.
— Surbhi (@surbhig_) September 12, 2020
How one doesn’t let money change their values. pic.twitter.com/9MbkpZcVoc
Sudha Murty clarified that she hasn’t become a vegetable seller but picking them up to prepare meals for a ritual. She stated, “I am not sitting there to sell vegetables. I am sitting there as a devotee, not as a vendor. This ritual is very close to my heart. I am sitting in the middle of assorted vegetables to pick good ones to prepare meals during the three-day annual ritual at Raghavendra Matha in Bengaluru”.
While talking to media she said “I do not like being in the limelight. I am neither interested in it. Many users have got it wrong. I am not sitting there to sell vegetables. It pains me to hear such stories. I am sitting there as a devotee not as a vendor. This ritual is very close to my heart. I am sitting in the middle of assorted vegetables to pick good ones to prepare meals during the three-day annual ritual – Raghavendra Rayara Samaradhane – that takes place in Raghavendra Matha in Jayanagara 5th Block near my house.”
She further added, “I started at a very young age. My grandmother used to do this and I used to accompany her and take part in this ritual. Since then I have strictly followed it even to this date. I like to do this because it gives me a sense of satisfaction. It helps me to meditate.”
Conclusion
Users are circulating concocted stories about Sudha Murty to get the spotlight on social media. In conclusion, the claim that Sudha Murty sells vegetables every day on the footpath is misleading. The image was taken out of context and used to create a false narrative. Following a precise analysis and fact-checking, our team has reviewed the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread below. To know more about the ritual performed by Sudha Murty, click here [archive].
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) September 26, 2023
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: An image of Sudha Murty mother-in-law of British PM Rishi Sunak and the chairperson of Infosys which shows she is sitting on the ground surrounded by vegetables has been shared claiming that she sells vegetables every day on the footpath. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/RhSVgnnz1t
Claim: Sudha Murty sells vegetables every day on the footpath.
Fact: Sudha Murty was picking vegetables for a ritual, not selling them.
