Fact-Check: Misuse of Rahul Gandhi’s Speech by Ruling Party Members

Selective Editing Misrepresents Opposition Leader in Misleading Video

Newsreel Asia Insight #276
July 9, 2024

A video clip of the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, circulated widely by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members and supporters, has stirred controversy by suggesting he labelled the entire Hindu community as violent. However, a complete review of the Parliamentary footage by the fact-checking site Alt News reveals the claims are misleading.

The video – featuring Gandhi, a leader of the Congress party, saying, “Those who call themselves Hindus, they engage in violence, hatred and lies 24 hours a day” – has been widely shared by BJP MPs, Union ministers and right-wing influencers.

The narrative accompanying this clip suggests that Gandhi indiscriminately accused all Hindus of being violent during a speech in Parliament, says Alt News, noting that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman amplified the clip, interpreting Gandhi’s words as reflective of the Congress party’s contempt for Hindus.

On July 1, Sitharaman wrote on X, “Sheer audacity of LoP @RahulGandhi to call everyone who calls himself Hindu as ‘hinsak’/violent shows @INCIndia’s hatred and contempt towards Hindus. Also consistent with Hindu hate of his INDI Alliance partners. Hypocrisy in claiming ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ exposed.”

The same day, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed these sentiments in his tweet, and Smriti Irani, a BJP worker, also weighed in, contrasting Hinduism’s ethos with the alleged accusations).

A fact-check by Alt News revealed that the viral video was significantly edited.

Upon reviewing the full speech on Parliament TV, it is clear that Gandhi’s comments were directed specifically at BJP MPs, not the Hindu community as a whole, the fact-checking site says.

At the 18:01 mark in his speech, Gandhi elaborated on the ideals of non-violence fundamental to Hinduism and accused the BJP MPs of betraying these principles: “Mr. Modi once said in his speech that India has never attacked anyone, and that is because this country is a country of non-violence... While those who call themselves Hindus, they engage in violence, hatred, and lies 24 hours a day. You are not Hindus at all,” pointing towards the ruling party MPs.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi interpreted Gandhi’s statement as an attack on the entire Hindu community, Gandhi immediately clarified at the 21:19 mark, saying, “No, No, No, I’m saying this about the BJP, and about you. Modi ji is not the entire Hindu community. The BJP is not the entire Hindu community. The RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is not the entire Hindu community. The BJP does not have this monopoly. Everyone here is a Hindu.”

The intentional spread of a misleading video clip contributes to misinformation, which can increase political polarisation. This tactic is often used by politicians to manipulate public opinion by framing the opposition leader in a negative light. It’s a strategic move to weaken the opposition’s credibility and gain political advantage.

However, it undermines the quality of democratic debate. Instead of promoting a substantive discussion on policies and principles, it shifts the focus to combating falsehoods, which detracts from addressing more pressing national issues. It suggests a willingness to sacrifice ethical standards for political gain, which can diminish governance quality and public trust in elected officials.