Fact Check: Claim that Rahul Gandhi was Holding a Red-Covered Book of the Chinese Constitution is False
Claim:
A photo of Rahul Gandhi, Congress senior leader, holding a book with a red cover is going viral on social media. The accompanying claim suggests that Gandhi is holding a copy of the ‘original Chinese constitution,’ which is said to have a ‘red cover,’ in contrast to the ‘original Indian constitution,’ which supposedly has a ‘blue cover.'
The claim was first posted by BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 17. Taking to X, he stated, ‘The original copy of the Constitution of India has a blue cover. The original Chinese constitution has a red cover. Is Rahul carrying a Chinese Constitution? We need to verify.’
Sarma seemed to further justify his statement when he posted again on X on May 18, saying, "Rahul is displaying a red Chinese constitution to the people attending his meetings. Our constitution, which is blue, includes a chapter called the Directive Principles of State Policy. This chapter makes it a sacred duty to enact a Uniform Civil Code in our country. Rahul is now opposing this. That’s why I am sure that the constitution in his hand must be a Chinese one."
Sarma’s first post included two distinct images: one of the Chinese constitution with a red cover and another of the Indian constitution with a blue cover. Other social media users subsequently picked up and re-shared this post.
The Archived versions of such posts can be viewed here.
Fact:
The exact image of Gandhi with the red-covered book was found on the Press Trust of India (PTI) website (archive link) with the caption, "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses during a public meeting for Lok Sabha polls, in Gadwal, Telangana, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (PTI Photo)."
Drawing from this, we were able to access a video from the same event in Gadwal, where Gandhi delivered his speech. He posted a livestream on YouTube (archived here) titled "Lok Sabha 2024 Campaign | Public Meeting | Gadwal, Telangana," on May 5, 2024. At the 29:17 mark, the cover of the book he was holding, clearly marked with the words "The Constitution of India," is visible.
While holding the book, Gandhi stated in Hindi, “...if the poor, OBCs, Dalits, and tribes in the country have gained anything, it is because of this book, our constitution. If you have employment, daily wages, public sectors, and reservations, it's all because of this book. Before its existence, India had no rights for you all. This book protects the rights of all sections of people: the OBC, minorities, tribes, and general castes. And the BJP wants to tear this book. This book is the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and Jawaharlal Nehru…” The reference here clearly refers to the Constitution of India.
The Telangana Youth Congress also posted (archived version) a similar photo of Gandhi holding the red-covered copy of the Indian constitution on April 29, 2024.
Constitution of India with a red cover
In our search for a red-covered Indian constitution book, we found a specific edition by Gopal Sankaranarayanan titled 'Constitution of India (Coat Pocket Edition),' published by Eastern Book Company (EBC). This book is available on the EBC Webstore, an online law bookstore, and the Amazon online shopping platform. We observed that this EBC edition matches the copy Gandhi was holding in the viral image.
Verdict: The claim made by Hemant Biswa Sarma is false. Rahul Gandhi was seen holding a red-covered coat pocket edition of the Constitution of India, authored by Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
Disclaimer: The story was originally published by Logically Facts. It has been republished by Deccan Chronicle as part of the Shakti Collective.