A Cambridge, Massachussetts-based photographer has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media team has allegedly used one of his photos on a social media site. Bimal Nepal has claimed that the team has used one of his photos for a Facebook post, without asking his permission before using the image.
Furthermore, there was no attribution given to him either on the post, Nepal says.
The post, accompanied with a photo of tea lights placed in an S-shaped pattern, reads, “Greetings on Dhanteras. May Lord Dhanvantari bless us with prosperity, joy and good health.”
“I am truly honored that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using one of my photographs in his Facebook page. My greatest question and concern is—there is no credit for the photographer,” Nepal wrote on Facebook. He mentions that the photo was clicked in the dining room of his Cambridge Massachusetts home with help of his daughter Abina who set up the Diwali lights on the floor.
“Of course that photo was taken by me. It is on Flickr (photo sharing website) with all the metadata. It is protected by US copyright law,” Nepal told the Hindustan Times to questions about his claim.
“I am one of the greatest fans of Mr. Modi but how he uses this photo is totally unacceptable. I am looking for compensation and the appropriate credit,” he said.
Nepal has found support from many on social media who have urged him to raise the issue with Modi’s office. Some of his friends claim to have written about it to the Prime Minister’s social media team.
“Apparently this image was created by photographer Bimal Nepal (living in Masschusetts) and has been used without courtesy or credit,” eminent Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit commented on Modi’s Facebook page.
Nepal has also found support on Twitter with some expressing “serious concern” and others suggesting him to contact the Prime Minister’s office.
However, the photos is still visible on Modi’s Facebook page without any mention of Nepal.