Rahul Gandhi has shared images of Hindu deities several times; RW claim, OpIndia article have no basis

Right-wing propaganda outlet OpIndia recently published a report titled “Rahul Gandhi Extends Greetings on Janmashtami Without Lord Krishna’s Image: Why Has He Been Avoiding Using Pictures of Hindu Gods?” In the article, they questioned the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, for not including images of Hindu deities in his greetings. According to their speculation, Gandhi’s decision to omit these images was an attempt to “create a neutral or impartial image that respects all religions equitably.”

The author of the OpIndia article criticised this, calling it “an outright secularization of Hinduism.” They argued that “religion is the one aspect that is not and should not be secular; however, the prince of the grand old party is secularizing Hindu festivals solely to strengthen his secular credentials.” Here is an archive of one of the initial versions of the article.

The same story was also published by OpIndia Hindi, featuring a cover image with two photos of Rahul Gandhi wearing a skullcap. (Archive)

राहुल गाँधी अक्सर जब हिंदू त्योहारों पर पोस्ट करते हैं तो उनके पोस्टों में हिंदू देवी-देवताओं की तस्वीरें पूरी तरह गायब रहती हैं। ऐसे में सवाल तो उठता है कि भगवान के साकार रूप से समस्या क्या है?https://t.co/u6Zm9nq9UU

— ऑपइंडिया (@OpIndia_in) August 26, 2024

The claim was amplified by Right-wing influencer @MrSinha_, who uses his social media handles to share communal propaganda regularly. (Archive)

Rahul Gandhi never uses Hindu gods/goddess picture while wishing on our festivals..
It seems he also follows the “Idol worshipping is haram” philosophy… pic.twitter.com/6DJXAvrVhn

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 26, 2024

BJP leader Giriraj Singh also amplified the same claim through a graphic. (Archive)

OMG pic.twitter.com/GFwE1Mv7yA

— Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) August 26, 2024

Other users also amplified this claim. (Archives- 1, 2, 3)

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Fact Check

We looked up some of the tweets by Gandhi in the past and found that the claim made by OpIndia and the Right Wing was false. More specifically, Gandhi has used pictures of Hindu deities several times in his social media posts.

He tweeted a picture of Sri Krishna in 2019 while wishing his followers on Janmashtami.

आप सभी को जन्माष्टमी के पावन पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। #HappyJanmashtami pic.twitter.com/DFIdwUeGHB

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 23, 2019

Even on Navratri, Gandhi shared an image from a Pandal in Chandi Bazar, Jamnagar.

Day ends with visit to Navratri Pandal, Chandi Bazar, Jamnagar pic.twitter.com/iujZAM4cHa

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 25, 2017

In 2015, he used Hindu deity Maa Durga’s image to wish his followers on Durga Puja.

दुर्गा पूजा के शुभ अवसर पर आप सभी को हार्दिक शुभकामनायें pic.twitter.com/0KE8pUVW9c

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 19, 2015

Some other instances where Gandhi used pictures of gods and goddesses include the occasion of Vishu in 2021, Buddha Purnima in 2020, Basava Jayanti in 2023, Ganesh Chaturthi in 2015, 2022 and 2023 and Mahavir Jayanti in 2020.

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Hence, the claim made by Right-wing users and OpIndia that Gandhi does not share pictures of Hindu deities is false. The entire article published by the propaganda outlet is baseless. Rahul Gandhi has shared many images of Hindu deities in the past.

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