(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.)
Is the claim true?: No, the claim is false as this image is digitally edited.
The original image dates back to December 2024 and shows Annamalai protesting against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin with a poster that reads, "Shame on you, Stalin."
What we found: We ran a Google reverse image search on the image and came across a post on Annamalai's X page which showed him in the same attire, holding a different poster with the title, "Shame on you, Stalin."
This was uploaded on 26 December 2024.
The post noted, "False news is deliberately spread through the media to divert public anger."
We compared the two images and found similarities.
Similarly, he had uploaded this image on his Instagram page, as well.
A report by the New Indian Express from December 2024 carried the same image and noted that Annamalai had accused the Tamil Nadu government and the police in the sexual assault case of a student at Anna University.
He announced that he would flog himself with a whip and not wear sandals until the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime is dislodged, as a form of protest against the incident.
He accused the government of not utilising the Nirbhaya fund and alleged that the accused, Gnanasekaran, was a DMK office-bearer. Annamalai also accused the police of trying to shame the victim by revealing her identity in the FIR and leaking it to the public.
Conclusion: An edited image of Annamalai holding a poster against Grok has gone viral on social media.
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