- By Akanksha Verma
- Sun, 28 Apr 2024 03:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Fact Check: As the high-octane Lok Sabha election takes place in India, a social media post has gone viral about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's real name. The viral post is being shared with the false claim that Minister Mamata Banerjee's real name is 'Mumtaz Masama Khatoon'. Vishvas News probed the viral post and found this claim to be false. The fact checking wing of Jagran New Media found that the post about TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's real name is being circulated as an election propaganda.
The West Bengal CM's name is Mamata Banerjee and she identifies as Hindu and belongs to the Brahmin caste. The viral social media posts, alleging that Mamata Banerjee's real name is Mumtaz, are spreading misinformation against the TMC leader.
Fact Check: What Is Mamata Banerjee's Real Name
Vishvas News checked Mamata Banerjee's poll affidavit to debunk the false claims about her real name. Mamata Banerjee is an MLA from the Bhawanipur Assembly seat in West Bengal. She filed her nomination papers for the 2021 Assembly elections under her real name, Mamata Banerjee, as per Form 2B. She listed her father's name as Promileshwar Banerjee in the affidavit.
A recent report from the 'Hindustan Times' quoted Mamata Banerjee's response to BJP, where she asserted her Brahmin caste identity. “I am a Brahmin, and there is no need for me to take a certificate from the BJP,” said Banerjee. The article was published on December 14, 2021.
Vishvas News also contacted JK Vajpayee, the state Bureau Chief (Kolkata) for Dainik Jagran, who confirmed that Mamata Banerjee is a Hindu Brahmin.
Viral Claim On Mamata Banerjee's Real Name Fake
Such misinformation about Mamata Banerjee's real name is being spread as Lok Sabha polls are underway in the country. On April 26, West Bengal witnessed Lok Sabha election in Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat. The 2024 General elections are being held in seven phases. Lok Sabha election phase 1 voting was held on April 19, when 102 seats went to polls across the nation.
In the first phase, three out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats of West Bengal saw polling. These included Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri. The elections will go on till June 1 and counting of votes will be held on June 4, 2024.