Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Ruby leads editorial, operations and initiatives at Newschecker. In her former avatar at New Delhi Television (NDTV), India’s leading national news network, she was a news anchor, supervising producer and senior output editor. Her over a decade-long career encompasses ground-breaking reportage from conflict zones and reporting on terror incidents, election campaigns, and gender issues. Ruby is an Emmy-nominated producer and has handled both local and international assignments, including the coverage of Arab Spring in 2011, the US Presidential elections in 2016, and ground reportage on the Kashmir issue since 2009.
Claim
The Gandhi family was spotted in Vietnam just a few days after Manmohan Singh’s death.
Fact
The viral photograph was taken at a restaurant in Delhi before Singh’s death.
A controversy erupted between the BJP and Congress following the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. While Rahul Gandhi criticised the government for not allocating a separate memorial for the funeral and “insulting” Singh, the BJP accused the Congress of “politicising” the former PM’s death.
Adding to the political clash, the BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi flew to Vietnam to celebrate New Year’s while the country mourned Singh’s death. Amid these claims, a photo went viral on social media showing Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Robert Vadra allegedly dining at a restaurant in Vietnam.
Several users mocked the Gandhi family, sharing captions like: “Antonio’s family mourning Manmohan Singh in Vietnam.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Did Arvind Kejriwal Say That He Is Not Cleaning Yamuna As It Will Not Get Him Any Votes?
Fact Check/Verification
A Google Lens search of the viral image revealed it originated from a Delhi restaurant. An Instagram post by @jagranenglishnews dated December 23, 2024, featured the same photo, mentioning it was taken at Kwality Restaurant in Delhi during a family lunch.
Further verification through the keywords “Rahul Gandhi” and “Kwality Restaurant” led to multiple credible reports confirming the photo’s context. A report by India Today detailed the family’s visit to the iconic Kwality Restaurant in Connaught Place on December 22, 2024. The report even listed their meal preferences and the songs Priyanka Gandhi requested to be played during their visit.
The Indian Express featured the viral photograph of the Gandhi family members in their report dated December 24, 2024.
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Rahul Gandhi also shared the same photo on Instagram on December 22, captioning it: “Family lunch at the iconic Kwality Restaurant. Try the Chole Bhature if you go.”
Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS Delhi on December 26, 2024, due to age-related health issues. The timing of the viral photo clearly predates his death, debunking claims of the Gandhis dining in Vietnam during the mourning period.
Death Of Manmohan Singh Prompts Misinformation On Gandhi Family
Amid accusations of disrespecting Singh, the Gandhi family has been a target of misinformation since his demise. Several social media users falsely identified a Sikh man touching Sonia Gandhi’s feet in an old photograph as the former Indian PM. Multiple others also falsely alleged that the Gandhi family had skipped Manmohan Singh’s funeral.
Conclusion
Hence, viral posts alleging to show the Gandhi family in Vietnam just days after Manmohan Singh’s death were found to be false.
Result: False
Sources
Instagram Post By @jagranenglishnews, Dated December 23, 2024
Report By India Today, Dated December 22, 2024
Instagram Post By Rahul Gandhi, Dated December 22, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Ruby leads editorial, operations and initiatives at Newschecker. In her former avatar at New Delhi Television (NDTV), India’s leading national news network, she was a news anchor, supervising producer and senior output editor. Her over a decade-long career encompasses ground-breaking reportage from conflict zones and reporting on terror incidents, election campaigns, and gender issues. Ruby is an Emmy-nominated producer and has handled both local and international assignments, including the coverage of Arab Spring in 2011, the US Presidential elections in 2016, and ground reportage on the Kashmir issue since 2009.
