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
Photo of former Indian PM Manmohan Singh touching Sonia Gandhi’s feet.
Fact
Congress representative falsely identified as the former Indian PM.
Following the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh last week, a war of words erupted between the BJP and Congress with both the parties accusing each other of disrespecting the former Indian Prime Minister.
While Rahul Gandhi accused the centre of “insulting” Singh by not allocating a separate place for the funeral, JP Nadda lashed out at Congress leaders for using a “moment of grief” into an opportunity to fulfill their political agenda. Nadda also accused the Congress of tarnishing “the dignity of the PM post by placing Sonia Gandhi as ‘super PM’ over PM Manmohan Singh.”
In this backdrop, a photograph purportedly showing former Indian PM late Manmohan Singh touching Sonia Gandhi’s feet has gone viral on social media platforms.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the claim on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044 ) requesting to be fact checked.
Also Read: Gandhi Family Did Not Attend Manmohan Singh’s Funeral? No, Viral Claim Found To Be False
Fact Check/Verification
On carefully analysing the viral photo, we noticed the watermark of stock image website Getty Images on the right corner of the screen.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “Congress,” “Sonia Gandhi” and “feet” on the official website of Getty Images, which yielded the viral photograph. “A representative touches the feet of Sonia Gandhi as Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi looks on during the Indian Youth Congress’s national level convention of Elected Office Bearers in New Delhi,” its description stated. The image was taken on November 29, 2011 and was credited to “Shekhar Yadav/The India Today Group via Getty Images.”
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We found multiple other photographs from the said convention listed on Getty Images showing Manmohan Singh wearing a blue turban.
A national conference for elected office bearers of the Indian Youth Congress was held on November 28-29, 2011 in Delhi. Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders had attended the event. The viral photograph is from the same convention.
A report by Hindustan Times, dated November 29, 2011, featured multiple images from the event. These photographs too showed Manmohan Singh in an attire different from the man seen touching Sonia Gandhi’s feet in the viral image.
Other images from the event can be seen here, here and here.
Manmohan Singh’s address at the event uploaded on the official YouTube channel of Indian Youth Congress on November 30, 2011.
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Conclusion
Hence, the viral posts alleging to show former Indian PM Manmohan Singh touching Sonia Gandhi’s feet were found to be false.
Result: False
Sources
Getty Images
Report By Hindustan Times, Dated November 29, 2011
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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.
