BJP MLA tweets fake news on Sonali Bendre''s death, faces backlash

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, September 8

BJP MLA Ram Kadam has quoted another controversy after he tweeted fake news of Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre’s death.

Already under fire for his remarks that he would help young men “kidnap girls they fancied”, on Friday tweeted that actress Sonali Bendre is no more.

Kadam posted a message in Marati that translated as “Sonali Bendre, the actress who ruled Hindi and Marathi cinema was to all, and is no more.”

Ram Kadam wishes Sonali Bendre a speedy recovery after wrongly tweeting about her demise.

— Unofficial Sususwamy (@swamv39)

The tweet, posted along with a photograph of the actor has since been deleted.

The BJP MLA was widely flayed for spreading fake news and rumours.

In no time, Kadam issued an apology. “About Sonali Bendre ji It was rumor. Since last two days.. I pray to God for good health and speedy recovery (sic),” he tweeted.

Sonali Bendre had announced that she had been diagnosed with metastatic cancer in the first week of July and that she would undergo treatment in the US.

Both the inaccurate post by the BJP MLA and the apology that he posted thereafter received several comments, mostly in Marathi, trolling him for being a source of fake news.

Kadam has found himself at the centre of a huge controversy following his comments at a Dahi Handi (Janmashtami) celebration in Mumbai on Monday.

A video clip showed him saying that youngsters often seek his help after girls reject their proposals.

“Come with your parents. What will I do if your parents approve? I will kidnap the girl and hand her over to you,” he was heard telling the crowd.