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
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Niqab incident: Nitish Kumar perhaps revealing his true colours, says J-K CM
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticised his Bihar counterpart over the niqab incident and said that Nitish Kumar might be slowly revealing his true nature.
"Nitish Kumar, who was once considered a secular leader, may be slowly showing his true colours," Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.
Abdullah said Kumar removing the face veil of a Muslim woman doctor was wrong and cannot be justified by any means.
"We have seen this kind of incident here several years ago. Have you forgotten how Mehbooba Mufti removed the burqa of a legitimate voter inside a polling station? That act was wrong, and this act (of Kumar) is also wrong.
"If the (Bihar) chief minister did not want to hand over the order to her (Muslim woman), they could have kept her aside. However, to humiliate her like this is totally wrong," the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.
Kumar stirred a huge controversy after he removed the face veil of a Muslim woman at a function earlier this week.
