An image has surfaced on social media platforms showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a file is being shared on social media claiming that the central government is now planning for a new Population control legislation in 2021. In the photo, we can see 'Population Control Legislation 2021' written on the file in Hindi held by PM Modi.

A Facebook user shared the image with a caption in Hindi that can be roughly translated to, "One more bill has arrived."

Several other Facebook users are also sharing this image with a similar claim. 

The truth behind the claim 

In our investigation, we found this claim to be false. The viral image is morphed. In the original image, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen holding a file without any text on the cover.

With the help of a reverse image search, we found the original image on the official Facebook and Instagram handles of PM Modi posted on ‘26 December 2020’. In the original photo, Prime Minister was seen holding a green file with no text on the cover page. The caption shared with the post reads, "On the way to attending a program with my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir earlier today."

On 26 December 2020, PM Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat scheme in Jammu and Kashmir through video conference. Zee News published the original image in its article. 

Moreover, we did not find any credible report to confirm the speculation of a new population control legislation in 2021.

In conclusion, a morphed image of PM Modi holding a copy of the new population control legislation 2021 is being widely shared on social media.