Authors
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: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s daughter Anjali Birla has married a Muslim man
Fact: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s son-in-law Aneesh Rajani belongs to a Sindhi business family, not from the Muslim community.
On November 12, 2024, Anjali Birla, the daughter of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, tied the knot with her longtime friend Aneesh Rajani in an event held in Kota, Rajasthan. The wedding was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, along with a host of ministers, MPs, MLAs, officials, and notable celebrities.
Soon after, many social media users have started circulating images from wedding pictures on social media and suggesting that Anjali Birla has married a Muslim man. A user wrote on the X handle, “BJP Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has got his daughter Anjali married to Anees. After all, what is the reason that all the anti-Muslim leaders in their country choose their sons-in-law Anees and Mukhtar?”
Archive links of such claims can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/ Verification
While searching for more information about Anjali Birla’s groom, we came across a news report published on the NDTV website on November 13, 2024, titled, “Om Birla Son-in-Law Anish Rajani: Who is Anish Rajani, whom Om Birla’s daughter Anjali married, how true are the claims going on on social media?” According to that report, Om Birla’s son-in-law, Anish Rajani, is Sindhi and runs a business in Kota. “Om Birla’s son-in-law Aneesh’s father Naresh Rajani is counted as a prominent Hindu industrialist of Kota. Aneesh’s father Naresh Rajani is famous for temple construction and Sanatan Dharma upliftment work,” the report further noted.
Free Press Journal reported Aneesh Rajani’s relatives are involved in the oil industry. Moreover, he is associated with five companies, serving as the director for Rajani Products Private Limited, AKR Greenco Private Limited, Primero Waste Solutions Private Limited, Dhanish Trade Ventures Private Limited, and Arc Technologies Private Limited.
Following the claims, former Gaya MP and BJP leader Hari Manjhi dismissed the viral claims regarding Anish Rajani’s religious background, clarifying that he is a Sindhi Hindu from a business family in Kota. Manjhi further emphasised that the Rajani family has contributed significantly to religious causes, including constructing over 12 Shiva temples. To refute the rumours, he also shared the wedding invitation card of Anish Rajani and Anjali Birla on social media. The invitation clearly identifies Anish as the son of Simran and Naresh Rajani, and Anjali as the daughter of Shakuntala and Om Birla.
Many news outlets like PTI News, The Week and ABP Live also dismissed the viral claim stating that Aneesh belongs to a Sindhi business family, not from the Muslim community.
Conclusion
Thus it is clear that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s son-in-law Aneesh Rajani belongs to a Sindhi business family, not from the Muslim community.
Result: False
Sources
Report by NDTV, Dated November 13, 2024
Report by Free Press Journal, Dated November 13, 2024
Report by PTI News, Dated November 13, 2024
Report by PTI News, Dated November 14, 2024
Report by The Week, Dated November 14, 2024
Report by ABP Live, Dated November 14, 2024
X post by Hari Manjhi, Dated November 13, 2024
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates.
Authors
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.
