- By Akanksha Verma
- Thu, 25 Apr 2024 08:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid the fervour of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, a video featuring Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has stirred controversy on social media. In this 42-second clip, Rahul Gandhi purportedly expressed his intention to conduct an X-ray of the country, which will reveal the inequality in society and expose the reality of minorities' share in the economy. He also mentioned plans for a financial and institutional survey to ascertain the distribution of wealth among different classes in India. He promised revolutionary actions to follow this unprecedented step, promising to deliver what is rightfully due to the people.
However, this video has sparked communal claims among some social media users. Shared across platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and others, it has garnered significant attention. Vishvas News, the fact checking wing of Jagran New Media, conducted a thorough investigation into the video's authenticity and found that it had been manipulated. The original speech by Rahul Gandhi included references not only to minorities but also to backward, Dalit, tribal, and poor general castes. However, these references were omitted in the viral clip, distorting its meaning. Vishvas News concluded that the viral post was misleading.
Fact Check: Viral Claim About Rahul Gandhi's Comment
The viral video was originally posted by the Facebook page 10Tak News on April 23, with a caption suggesting that Rahul Gandhi intended to X-ray the country, specifically highlighting the minorities' role. Despite its misleading nature, the post continued to spread across social media platforms.
What's The Truth Behind Rahul Gandhi's Viral Video
Vishvas News traced the video back to its source and found the unedited version on Rahul Gandhi's YouTube channel, where he was addressing the Congress Manifesto Launch Rally in Hyderabad, Telangana, on April 6, 2024.
In the unedited video, Rahul Gandhi's statement at 31:55 minutes reveals his true intent, emphasising the need for a caste census to understand the participation levels of all sections of society, including backward classes, Dalits, tribals, poor general castes, and minorities. This clarifies that the viral clip was selectively edited to change its context. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate denounced the viral video as a product of the BJP's "fake news factory," emphasising that Rahul Gandhi's speech aimed to empower SC-ST, backward, minority, and poor general caste communities through the caste census.
In conclusion, Vishvas News's investigation exposed the viral clip's deceptive editing, highlighting that Rahul Gandhi's speech encompassed a broader spectrum of society beyond just minorities. This revelation underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media.