Claim:
A photo shared by Kangana Ranaut on her Instagram suggests a woman seen walking behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a highly trained Special Protection Group (SPG) commando.
Verdict:
False.
The Claim
A post shared by BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut on her Instagram story sparked speculation that the woman in the photo, seen walking behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi, might be a part of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG), tasked with providing proximate security to the Prime Minister and other high-profile individuals. The image was hailed as an example of women empowerment, with many assuming that the woman was a commando from the SPG. However, the speculation is not true.
Fact-Check Analysis
1. Security Sources Clarification:
According to security sources, the woman in the photograph is not a member of the SPG. Instead, she is identified as an Assistant Commandant of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), specifically assigned as a Personal Security Officer (PSO) to President Droupadi Murmu.
2. Role of Women in Security Forces:
The claim that the woman is part of the SPG likely arose due to her uniform and close proximity to the Prime Minister. However, the CRPF, which is India’s premier paramilitary force, employs women in various roles, including PSOs for high-profile dignitaries. The CRPF has a long history of encouraging women to join their ranks and currently has women officers commanding units such as air defence, signals, ordnance, intelligence, engineers, and service corps.
3. No Direct Connection to SPG:
While it is true that women are increasingly part of India’s security forces, the viral claim incorrectly associated the woman with the SPG. The SPG primarily deals with high-security protection details, and while some women serve in the SPG, this particular individual is not one of them.
Context:
The post by Kangana Ranaut, without any caption, caused widespread assumptions that the woman was part of the SPG. While the image indeed highlights a woman in a prominent security role, it’s essential to correctly attribute such claims, especially when involving elite units like the SPG. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) plays a vital role in the country’s security, and women are increasingly being assigned critical positions within it.
Conclusion:
The viral post claiming that the woman in the photo is an SPG commando is false. She is an Assistant Commandant of the CRPF and serves as a Personal Security Officer (PSO) to President Droupadi Murmu. While this is a significant achievement in itself and showcases women’s empowerment, it is important to verify such claims before drawing conclusions about the specific security force involved.
Verdict:
False