Right-wing social media handles amplify disinformation labelling Rahul Gandhi as anti-Hindu
Fact-checker Mohammed Zubair says no action from Congress against such trolls
New Delhi: Prominent right-wing social media accounts are being called out for spreading disinformation aimed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Handles such as @MrSinha_, @OpIndia_com, @OpIndia_in, and @UnSubtleDesi have been actively sharing selectively edited tweets and content to suggest that Gandhi deliberately avoids using images of Hindu gods in his festival greetings, implying that he opposes idol worship.
This narrative, which has gained traction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), seeks to paint Rahul Gandhi as anti-Hindu, a label that could potentially alienate Hindu voters. The posts have drawn significant engagement, with many followers of these accounts echoing the sentiment that Gandhi's political stance is in conflict with Hindu traditions.
One particular angle being pushed by these accounts is the notion that Rahul Gandhi’s festival greetings deliberately omit images of Hindu deities, portraying him as someone who doesn't respect or acknowledge the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. However, this portrayal has been challenged by fact-checkers and those monitoring social media disinformation.
Alt News co-founder and renowned fact-checker Mohammed Zubair has actively countered this misinformation. On his X handle, Zubair shared multiple instances where Gandhi has included images of Hindu deities in his greetings for various Hindu festivals. By compiling and presenting this evidence, Zubair has sought to dismantle the false narrative being constructed by these influential right-wing accounts.
Despite Zubair's efforts to expose this disinformation, the narrative continues to spread, with little pushback from other Congress members or supporters, Zubair pointed out in another post on X.
“Right Ring influential trolls close to the BJP are trying their best to set a narrative that Rahul Gandhi is Anti-Hindu. I don't see any Congress members taking any action against such trolls, Nor have they debunked this false narrative set by the pro-BJP accounts.” (sic) Zubair stated in the tweet.
What these right wing handles @MrSinha_ @OpIndia_com @OpIndia_in @UnSubtleDesi
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 27, 2024
are sharing is not Misinformation but Disinformation. By selectively sharing tweets deliberately to prove @RahulGandhi is Anti Hindu. Unlike the fake narrative by Right Wing Trolls, Here are tweets by… https://t.co/PBLbHgek1K pic.twitter.com/YWqgFI2WNa
What these right wing handles @MrSinha_ @OpIndia_com @OpIndia_in @UnSubtleDesi
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 27, 2024
are sharing is not Misinformation but Disinformation. By selectively sharing tweets deliberately to prove @RahulGandhi is Anti Hindu. Unlike the fake narrative by Right Wing Trolls, Here are tweets by… https://t.co/ijRJvHb6uS pic.twitter.com/XnPNw2vNCA
Rahul Gandhi never uses Hindu gods/goddess picture while wishing on our festivals..
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 26, 2024
It seems he also follows the "Idol worshipping is haram" philosophy... pic.twitter.com/6DJXAvrVhn
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
