An alleged statement attributed to Ratan Tata has been making the rounds on social media. It is being claimed that Tata suggested that the government should stop offering subsidies to those who buy alcohol. The quote attributed to him reads, “Liquor should be sold through Aadhaar card. Government food subsidies should be stopped for liquor buyers. Those who have the facility to buy alcohol can definitely buy food. We give them free food and they buy liquor with the leftover money.”
Retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra of the Indian Air Force tweeted a screenshot of the alleged quote. The post was liked by more than 4,000 handles and retweeted more than 900 times at the time of writing. (Archive link)
Interesting pic.twitter.com/v3avl6DL9s
— Aviator Anil Chopra (@Chopsyturvey) September 2, 2021
Senior advocate Ravi Shankar Janadhyala has shared a graphic featuring Ratan Tata with the same message written in Telugu. (Archive link)
Liquor should be sold after linking to aadhaar card. Govt should stop all its welfare schemes to such of those persons who purchase liquor. Because, a person who can purchase liquor for pleasure, can purchase food. Great sir 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/yR1h8LYQq5
— Ravi Shankar Jandhyala (@RaviSha64106690) August 10, 2021
Several other users retweeted the post. (1, 2, 3 and 4)
This picture has also made its way to Facebook. Alt News noticed that it had actually been circulated online since May 2021. (1, 2, 3, 4)
Fake quote
We could not find any media reports to corroborate the alleged statement by Ratan Tata. The industrialist himself took to Instagram to clarify that the quote is fake.
Even in the past, statements falsely attributed to Ratan Tata have gone viral online. He also debunked these fake messages on several occasions on Twitter.
I’m afraid this too, has not been said by me. I will endeavour to call out fake news whenever I can, but would encourage you to always verify news sources. My picture alongside a quote does not guarantee me having said it, a problem that many people face. pic.twitter.com/pk0S75FxPA
— Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) May 3, 2020
Tata tweeted a clarification on one such fake statement on April 11, 2020. “If I have something to say, I will say it on my official channels. I urge you to verify media circulated on WhatsApp and social platforms.”
This post has neither been said, nor written by me. I urge you to verify media circulated on WhatsApp and social platforms. If I have something to say, I will say it on my official channels. Hope you are safe and do take care. pic.twitter.com/RNVL40aRTB
— Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) April 11, 2020
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