PM Modi’s photo is currently missing from the COVID-19 vaccine certificates, after AstraZeneca reported in the UK High Court that its vaccines can have rare side effects.
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca made a report in the UK High Court that its COVID vaccine “can, in very rare cases, cause TTS,” referring to thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. It is a condition characterised by blood clots and a low blood platelet count. This news caused an eruption among people on social media. A user on social media platform X posted a copy of his vaccine certificate, where he wrote in a caption that Modi ji is no longer visible on COVID vaccine certificates. He also added that—I just downloaded to check—yes, his picture is gone.
Another social media user who claimed himself as a Congress functionary also stated that only the QR code was visible instead of the PM’s photo. He also stated that, Yes, I just checked, and PM Modi’s photo has disappeared, and there is only a QR code instead of his photo.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a media report, because of the Model Code of Conduct being in place in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Modi’s picture was removed from the vaccine certificates. It is also not the first time the Prime Minister’s photo has been removed from the vaccination certificates, as Modi’s photo was first removed from the certificates under the direction of the Election Commission of India in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa—dduring assembly elections in five states in 2022.
During the time the MCC was in force, the ECI issued an order with clear instructions that – photographs and images of the political functionaries, who have a have a deep influence on the minds of electors and many of whom are still active in public life and may even be contesting the current general elections, should not be displayed in government buildings and premises, as that would have the effect of disturbing the level playing field vis-à-vis the political functionaries of other parties and candidates.
It also added that – while the photographs of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers, and other political functionaries should not be displayed, this instruction, however, is not applicable with regard to the images of national leaders, poets, and prominent historical personalities of the past, as well as the President of India and the Governors. In case of any doubt in this regard regarding the removal of any photograph or images, the issue may be referred to the Chief Electoral Officer of the State or Union Territory concerned before taking action in the matter.
