Fact Check: Did Liz Truss mock Indian political leaders for illiteracy

Liz Truss was the shorted serving PM of the United KingdScreenshot 2023-03-11 at 8.11.13 AM.pngScreenshot 2023-03-11 at 8.11.23 AM.pngom. She resigned just 45 days after she was sworn in as PM.

A purported statement by former UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss is gaining attention on the internet and it is not for the right reasons.

She is being accused of insulting and mocking India's illiterate leaders and spiritual preachers.

A card has been shared on the social media, featuring an alleged quote made by the former UK Prime Minister saying, "India is a country where people carefully listen to the speeches of illiterate leaders and religious preachers." The card has been shared with an image of Liz Truss.

One Punjab Congress leader too shared the post with a comment, "is this sarcasm of praise?"

The card was also shared by many more users while taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

OneIndia has learnt that this claim is completely baseless. Upon searching on Google, we came across no such statement in which the former UK PM is mocking India's leaders.

Truss is not just the former PM of UK, but has also held several important positions in the Cabinet. Had she made such a controversial remarks, it would have sure been widely reported.

While further searching for her comments on India, we came across a report of February 24 2023. Per that report, Truss had said, "This is where India has a huge tole to play, being the biggest democracy in the world. I don't think, India is a follower. I think India is a leader. You are the world's biggest democracy." The comments were made in response to a question on the West's trustworthiness.

She also urged () for a relook at the UNSC and added that the current structure is not working. She also backed a bigger role for India at the UNSC.

"That does beg the question about how this institution operates, and I do support a greater role for India. Absolutely. As a key player internationally," she had said.

It may be recalled that the day she was elected as the PM of UK, she had expressed her desire to wrap up a trade deal with India and also promised to look at their visa system to ensure that it attracts Indians. She however resigned in 45 days and the trade deal with India could not be wrapped up.

We also came across a similar card. In that she is quoted as saying, " I could not fulfil the promises with which I came to power. That is why I have resigned."

Looking at the second card, it became clear that the text has been replaced so as to state that Truss had insulted India.

Hence it is clear that the viral image with a quote of Liz Truss insulting India's political leaders has been changed to suit a particular narrative against PM Modi.