The Indian Space Research Organisation has issued a clarification Monday that the ISRO Chairman K Sivan has no personal accounts on any social media platform.
In a statement, ISRO said, “It has been noted that social media accounts in the name of Kailasavadivoo Sivan (along with photographs of K. Sivan) is operational and active on social media platforms. This is to clarify that K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO does not have any personal account on any social media platforms. Hence all the information on all such accounts are not authentic.”
The Indian Space agency’s alert came after several fake social media accounts operating with K Sivan’s name emerged in large numbers, especially after the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Several social media users were seen following these fake accounts including on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Various Twitter accounts became operational in Sivan’s name and it garnered thousands of followers within no time.
While most users have now figured out that the ISRO chief does not have an account on the platform, some have fallen for the fake account in his name that is reportedly spreading false information and causing confusion on social media.
K Sivan has emerged most sought after especially in the last few days, as he has been the official voice of ISRO for most of the announcements regarding the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
In the wee hours of Saturday, the Lander of Chandrayaan-2 – Vikram – lost contact with the mission control at an altitude of 2.1 km from the lunar surface. New reports suggest that the Vikram Launcher has been located on the lunar surface and it is intact. Efforts are on to establish connection.
While the entire country stood in support and lauded ISRO and its scientists for Chandrayaan-2, a video showing the ISRO chief breaking down, after the moon landing glitch, surfaced, which swept everyone’s heart. The Prime Minister was then seen consoling Sivan who had, along with his team, worked tirelessly for months to ensure Vikram lands on the lunar surface.