The viral image, widely circulated on platforms including X and Instagram, purportedly showed Deepika expressing support for Wangchuk during his ongoing hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The screenshot quickly sparked online debate, with some users claiming the actress had deleted the Story shortly after posting it.

A review of Deepika Padukone's verified Instagram activity, along with archived social media records and reports from multiple news organisations, found no trace of the alleged Story. Fact-checks concluded that the circulating screenshot was digitally altered and that the claim of Deepika posting and deleting the message was false.

The clarification comes amid growing public attention surrounding Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike. The activist has received support from several public figures, including actors Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol, Naseeruddin Shah, Soni Razdan, Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhasker and Omi Vaidya, all of whom have publicly appealed for dialogue while expressing concern over his health.

Unlike those celebrities, Deepika Padukone has not issued any verified public statement or social media post regarding Wangchuk's protest. Fact-checkers noted that the absence of any official record strongly indicates that the viral screenshot was fabricated to create misinformation.

The incident highlights how edited screenshots and fabricated social media posts can rapidly gain traction during high-profile public events. Experts advise users to verify such claims through verified accounts or credible news sources before sharing them online.

As discussions around Sonam Wangchuk's protest continue, the viral claim involving Deepika Padukone has been debunked, with no evidence supporting the allegation that she posted and later removed an Instagram Story on the issue.