Claim: A photo of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi holding up a red book is being shared on social media, where users are claiming that it shows him holding a copy of the Chinese constitution. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the photo, along with images of the Indian and Chinese constitution, asking, “Does Rahul carry a Chinese Constitution?”
Fact Check: No, Gandhi was carrying a coat pocket edition of the Indian Constitution, which is published by Eastern Book Company (EBC). Searching the web using the keywords ‘Constitution of India red cover’ leads to the website of Eastern Book Company (EBC), which mentioned that it showed the ‘Coat Pocket Edition’ of the document.
The Coat Pocket Edition of the Indian Constitution has made its appearance in the media before as well:
– Photo of the directors of EBC gifting Union Home Minister Amit Shah a copy of the same edition of the Constitution.
– Photo of former President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding the same edition of the Constitution. The photo was taken in 2017, shortly after Kovind became president, as per a report by The Statesman.
Conclusion: A photo of Rahul Gandhi holding a red book has gone viral with the false claim that it shows him holding China’s Constitution.
Disclaimer: This story was published first in The Quintand republished by Deccan Chronicle as part of Shakti collective.
