Fact Check: Was Ali Toje misquoted on the Nobel Peace Prize for PM Modi

Various media outlets had quoted Asli Toje and said that PM Modi is the biggest contender for the Nobel Peace Prize.

A number of news outlets had published the news stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the biggest contender for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Citing Nobel committee deputy leader Asle Toje many news outlets had said that PM Modi is the biggest contender for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Turns out the statement has been misconstrued.

Toje had said, "India's intervention to remind Russia of the consequences of using nuclear weapons was very helpful. India did not speak in a loud voice, did not threaten anybody, they just made their position known in a friendly manner. We need more of that in international politics."

When asked if PM Modi is a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize, Toje said that any leader in the world should aspire for the peace prize. "Any leader should try and do more for peace in the world to deserve this award. But, the work comes first and the world comes later."

While many including us reported the news, it was later on clarified that the statements were misleading.

Toje went on to say that he is the deputy leader of the Nobel Committee. A fake tweet was sent out. We should treat it as all fake news. It is fake. Let us not discuss it. Let us not give it any energy or oxygen. I categorically deny that I said anything resembling what was in that tweet, Toje also said.

Toje however heaped praise on India and said that the country is going to be the next superpower of the century.

"India is one of the hopes for mankind. India is a country of ancient history having very deep philosophical insights and peaceful religions. I am very happy to see that this has filtered into the Indian government. I am very happy to see that India is ready to shoulder its global responsibility and be a force for peace, equity and fairness. India's power is growing. India is taken more seriously now than in the past. I am happy to see that PM Modi is using his power to give back to mankind....China and India are going to be the next superpowers," Toje said.

He also hoped that it is not a small thing that PM Modi is taking out time for helping the world restore peace. He further noted that the PM intervened on a positive note in the Russia-Ukraine war warning Russia against the use of nuclear weapons.

This year the Nobel Prize announcements will take place on October 2 and 9. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 6.

Toje was speaking at an event hosted by Delhi-based non-profit, India Center Foundation. ICF chairman Vibhav K. Upadhyay told the Print that the Indian news channels had misquoted Toje. "Indian TV channels have misquoted Mr Toje. He never said that. I hope it is by mistake or by extra enthusiasm, but if this has been done by design, then it is criminal," Upadhyay also said.

"This directly hits the chances of someone getting the Nobel Peace Prize because if a candidate is being discussed in public, his chances of getting that becomes very bleak," he also added.

Going by all these reports, it is clear that while Toje did heap praise on India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said nothing about the Nobel Peace Prize.