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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Rahul Gandhi called the entire Hindus community violent.
Fact
Gandhi’s remarks on the BJP have been misconstrued.
A video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the LoP in the newly elected Lok Sabha, purportedly saying, “those who call themselves Hindu, they …24 hours violence, violence, violence, hatred, hatred, hatred…,” has stirred up a political row.
The video has gone viral on social media with users accusing Rahul Gandhi of disrespecting the entire Hindu community. Immediately after the parliamentary proceeding, multiple social media users shared excerpts from Gandhi’s address alleging that he called all Hindus as people who spread violence. Multiple BJP leaders, including senior members and cabinet ministers were among those who shared the video.
Union Minister JP Nadda and Nirmala Sitharaman were among multiple social media users who claimed that Gandhi called the Hindus violent. In an X post, Nadda said, “Rahul Gandhi Ji must immediately APOLOGISE to all Hindus for terming them as violent. This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, and here.
Several other verified social media handles alleged that Rahul Gandhi said, “Those who are Hindus, are violent.”
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We looked up Rahul Gandhi’s recent Lok Sabha address on the official YouTube channel of Sansad TV, and found his full speech for ‘Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address,’ uploaded on July 1, 2024.
Gandhi starts his speech by alleging a “systematic attack of the constitution, the idea of India…” for the past 10 years. Around 8 minutes into the video Gandhi holds up an image of Lord Shiva and says, “Everybody knows this image (referring to an image of Lord Shiva)… there are certain ideas in this image that we defend. That the opposition defends. The first idea in this image that we defend is the idea of confronting our fears, of never being scared. That idea is represented in this image, which you are not allowing me to show, by a snake that is placed right near the neck of Lord Shiva. The idea behind that is never be scared of anything that you face.”
“…The trishul is not a symbol of violence, it is a symbol of non violence …when we fought the bjp we were not violent, when we defended the truth there was not an ounce of violence in us…,” says the LoP
“…And there is another thing I noticed that it is not just one religion that talks about courage. In fact, all our religions talk about courage…,” says Gandhi discussing the teachings of fearlessness by Islam, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ.
“There are three foundational ideas in the history of India…”This country is a country of non-violence, this is not a country of fear…,” he adds.
Gandhi can then be heard saying, “…all saints talked about non-violence…Lord Shiva says do not be scared, do not scare others, he shows Abhaya Mudra, talks about peace, buries Trishul in the ground. And the people who call themselves Hindu, they …24 hours violence, violence, violence, hatred, hatred, hatred…lie, lie, lie…You are not Hindus“
Notably, while making these remarks Gandhi is seen pointing in the direction of PM Modi, and other BJP leaders, indicating that his comments were for the ruling party.
Gandhi then goes on to say, “It is clearly written in the Hindu religion that one should stand by the truth, one should never back down from truth, one should not be afraid of the truth. Non-violence is our symbol.” He then makes the Abhaya Mudra at the direction of the ruling party.
Also Read: Viral Video Claiming To Show Delhi Floods Is Actually OId Footage From Bengaluru
Around 21:07 minutes, PM Modi interjects and says, “It is a very serious issue. Calling the entire Hindu community ‘violent’ is a very serious issue”
Reacting to the PM’s remarks, Gandhi says,”to BJP, you…No, no, no. Narendra Modi is not the entire Hindu community. The BJP is not the entire Hindu community. The RSS is not the entire Hindu community.”
At the counters of 30:16 minutes, the Congress leader is again heard saying, “…if you look at Lord Shiva, by seeing his image, one can know that Hindu cannot spread fear, Hindu cannot spready violence, Hindu cannot spread hatred. And BJP, all 24 hours, hatred, violence, hatred, violence, hatred, violence…”
Several portions of Rahul Gandhi’s recent Lok Sabha address were expunged from the records of Parliament by the orders of the Speaker. Gandhi has also written a letter to Speaker Om Birla in this regard. The same can be seen below.
Rahul Gandhi’s full address in the lower house was also uploaded on his official YouTube channel. The same can be seen below.
Rahul Gandhi’s full address in the lower house was also uploaded on his official YouTube channel. The same can be seen below.
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the BJP have been misrepresented to falsely claim that he called the entire Hindu community violent.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
YouTube Video By Sansad TV, Dated July 1, 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.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
