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
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is seen wearing a lotus printed T-Shirt while addressing the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Fact
The image is edited. Rahul Gandhi did not wear a lotus printed T-Shirt during the Bharat Joro Nyay Yatra. The shirt was plain white.
A photograph, showing Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addressing a huge crowd amidst the Bharat Jojo Nyay Yatra wearing a white T-shirt featuring a lotus image on it is being widely shared on social media. X users, predominantly accounts supporting AAP, who are sharing the image, wrote, “We had already said that this Rahul Gandhi is an agent of BJP, today we have caught Rahul Gandhi red handed.
One such post can be seen here.
Some X users also have posted the photo with the same claim. One of those can be seen here.
Fact Check
We first checked the viral image using Google Reverse Image Search, which led us to several X posts. One such post, by Supriya Srinate, the Chairperson of Social Media & Digital Platforms and Member of Congress Working Committee, had the same image with the caption, “When there was talk of a journey from East to West – I said that this journey can start only from Manipur.” However, Gandhi’s T-shirt in the image did not have the lotus imprint.
The post can be seen here.
The viral photo was posted when Rahul Gandhi arrived in Manipur on January 15 for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
T N Prathapan, the Member of Parliament, Thrissur, Kerala cum Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Sports also posted the same image, sans the lotus imprint. The post can be seen here.
Rahul Gandhi was in Manipur on the day the viral photo was posted (January 15, 2024). Rahul Gandhi was seen not wearing a lotus print T-shirt in a live broadcast from Manipur on his official Facebook page.
Conclusion
Thus, we find that Rahul Gandhi did not wear a lotus printed T-shirt during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The viral photo has been altered.
Result: Altered Image
Our Sources:
X Post by TN Prathapan, dated Jan 14, 2024
X Post by Supriya Shrinate, dated Jan 14, 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.
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.
