Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Mahatma Gandhi clipped, presented out of context

by Kinjal

A 28-second video of Rahul Gandhi has been doing massive rounds on social media. Rahul Gandhi can be heard saying in the video, “You must have seen in pictures of Gandhiji (Mahatma Gandhi) that he is photographed with three or four women. But have you seen a picture of Mohan Bhagwat with a woman? Have you? It’s impossible.”

BJP leader Kapil Mishra shared the video taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi. (Archive link)

Asianet News also tweeted the video. (Archive link)

India Today executive editor Shiv Aroor further amplified the clip.

The footage is widespread on Facebook where people have portrayed Rahul Gandhi suggesting that Mahatma Gandhi was a ‘womaniser’.

 

Rahul Gandhi slams and criticizes Mohan Bhagwat for not having 3-4 women around him like Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi always had.

Please comment your thoughts?

Posted by Sharansh Guha on Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Fact-check

Alt News scoured the Indian National Congress YouTube channel in search of more information on this video. On September 15, 2021, Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering of women on Mahila Congress Foundation Day. Scenes from the viral clip appear in the full video at the 17:52 mark. After the portion viral on social media, Rahul Gandhi explains why Mohan Bhagwat is not seen in the presence of women – “Because his organisation (RSS) suppresses women, it crushes them. But our organisation gives a platform to female empowerment.”

Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair had quote-tweeted Aroor’s tweet with the full-length video. Aroor is yet to take down the clipped video that he shared out of context.

Journalist Siddharth Sharma of ANI also quote-tweeted Aroor and wrote that he was present at the event and the video posted by Aroor has been presented out of context.

Aroor later tweeted the full-length video after Alt News Hindi fact-check was published.

A clipped speech of Rahul Gandhi was circulated with the claim that he was questioning Mahatma Gandhi’s character. The Congress leader is routinely targetted with clipped and edited videos of his speeches and statements.

Donate to Alt News!
Independent journalism that speaks truth to power and is free of corporate and political control is possible only when people start contributing towards the same. Please consider donating towards this endeavour to fight fake news and misinformation.

Donate Now

Tagged:
About the Author

Kinjal Parmar holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. However, her keen interest in journalism, drove her to pursue journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. At Alt News since 2019, she focuses on authentication of information which includes visual verification, media misreports, examining mis/disinformation across social media. She is the lead video producer at Alt News and manages social media accounts for the organization.