“This one pic sums up the modern day slavery in Congress. The incoming/interim Congress President (Motilal Vora – 90 years )bends before the Prince in reverence. No respect for age and culture. Absolutely disgusting”, tweeted @lakshmisv along with a photograph. In the image, an unidentified man can be seen touching the feet of Rahul Gandhi. This picture has been shared by several users on Facebook and Twitter. The image started doings the rounds after certain journalists claimed on social media that Motilal Vohra could be the interim president of Indian National Congress after the resignation of Rahul Gandhi.

Some followers requested Alt News for verification of this image.

Bollywood actress Koena Mitra and Swarajya columnist Shefali Vaidya had also posted an identical claim and later deleted their tweets.

Fact-check

On reverse searching the image on Google. Alt News found that the leader seen in the image is NOT Motilal Vora but senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo. This image earlier went viral in December 2018 when social media users claimed that Deo was touching Rahul Gandhi’s feet after taking oath as the cabinet minister in the newly formed Congress government in Chattisgarh.

Consequentially, the picture was fact-checked by several media outlets with no unanimous certainty that TS Singh Deo touched Rahul Gandhi’s feet. Speaking to India Today, TS Singh Deo had given contradictory statements on the issue. Moreover, a senior Congress leader RPN Singh, who was present at the spot, said that Deo tried to touch Rahul’s feet at the entrance but the Congress chief stopped him midway.

An old photo where TS Singh Deo is claimed to be touching Rahul Gandhi’s feet was circulated as that of Congress leader Motilal Vora.

About the Author

Jignesh is a writer and researcher at Alt News. He has a knack for visual investigation with a major interest in fact-checking videos and images. He has completed his Masters in Journalism from Gujarat University.