Fact Check: Did Rahul Gandhi use his mobile phone during the mourning of Pulwama martyrs?
Did Rahul Gandhi use his mobile phone during the mourning of Pulwama martyrs?
Highlights
- BJP MP Paresh Rawal claimed that Rahul Gandhi used his mobile phone while paying tributes to CRPF men.
- Several social media users also made similar claims on Facebook and Twitter.
- Times Fact Check has found these claims to be true.
(This story originally appeared in Times Of India on February 16, 2019)
CLAIM
Several social media users, including the BJP MP and Bollywood actorParesh Rawal , claimed that Congress President Rahul Gandhi used his mobile phone while paying tributes to mortal remains of CRPF martyrs at Delhi airport.
Using a still image showing Gandhi looking into his mobile, Rawal claimed that Gandhi cannot even pay respects to the slain CRPF men properly.
“One one side the entire nation is shedding tears over the martyrdom of our brave soldiers, on the other side Rahul is busy using his mobile phone during the wreath-laying ceremony” read the text in the image that Rawal tweeted.
Making a comparison video between PM Modi and Gandhi, Facebook page Bharat Positive claimed that the difference between both the leaders is crystal clear.
One half of the video showed Gandhi using his mobile, the other half showed Modi paying respects to martyrs.
Several social media users responded to Rawal’s tweet and called it fake. Some of them used extremely derogatory and vile language to attack the BJP leader. We have omitted such tweets.
Some called the photo of Gandhi using his phone “misleading”.
TRUTH
Yes, Gandhi did use his mobile phone during the wreath-laying ceremony. It happened after he was done paying his respects and was standing along with Army Chief General Rawat and I&B ministerRajyavardhan Singh Rathore .
VERIFICATION AND METHODOLOGY
The ceremony was telecast live by Times Group’sTimes Now news channel.
In this video taken from Times Now YouTube channel, one can see from 43:35 minutes that for a duration of more than 30 seconds, Gandhi uses his mobile phone. The camera then pans to the left for a bit and by the time the focus is back on him, Gandhi has put his phone back in his pocket.
Prior to this from 31:20 to 32:00, Gandhi can also be seen paying his respects to the martyrs ofPulwama terror attack.
VERDICT
Times Fact Check has found claims of Rahul Gandhi using his cellphone during wreath-laying ceremony of CRPF martyrs from Pulwama terror attack to be true. This happened after the Congress president had paid his respects to the slain soldiers.
CLAIM
Several social media users, including the BJP MP and Bollywood actor
Using a still image showing Gandhi looking into his mobile, Rawal claimed that Gandhi cannot even pay respects to the slain CRPF men properly.
https://t.co/H8k4S4QNOh
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) 1550249130000“One one side the entire nation is shedding tears over the martyrdom of our brave soldiers, on the other side Rahul is busy using his mobile phone during the wreath-laying ceremony” read the text in the image that Rawal tweeted.
Making a comparison video between PM Modi and Gandhi, Facebook page Bharat Positive claimed that the difference between both the leaders is crystal clear.
One half of the video showed Gandhi using his mobile, the other half showed Modi paying respects to martyrs.
Several social media users responded to Rawal’s tweet and called it fake. Some of them used extremely derogatory and vile language to attack the BJP leader. We have omitted such tweets.
This idiot and fake news peddler Paresh Rawal is our sitting MP. #Shame https://t.co/NV2SCEEpcj
— CA Dinesh Wadera (@dineshwadera) 1550288584000@sprajapat481 @SirPareshRawal तस्वीर की सचाई मंदबुद्धि तो भाजपा का ये दलला है@SirPareshRawal https://t.co/gSglklc8pd
— Ghanshyam (@Ghanshy27931455) 1550253173000Some called the photo of Gandhi using his phone “misleading”.
Misleading! He stood there and paid tributes for more than 5 mins before walking. Even BJP supporters are sharing m… https://t.co/Rzbf1q2OiZ
— Zoo Bear (@zoo_bear) 1550252133000TRUTH
Yes, Gandhi did use his mobile phone during the wreath-laying ceremony. It happened after he was done paying his respects and was standing along with Army Chief General Rawat and I&B minister
VERIFICATION AND METHODOLOGY
The ceremony was telecast live by Times Group’s
In this video taken from Times Now YouTube channel, one can see from 43:35 minutes that for a duration of more than 30 seconds, Gandhi uses his mobile phone. The camera then pans to the left for a bit and by the time the focus is back on him, Gandhi has put his phone back in his pocket.
Prior to this from 31:20 to 32:00, Gandhi can also be seen paying his respects to the martyrs of
VERDICT
Times Fact Check has found claims of Rahul Gandhi using his cellphone during wreath-laying ceremony of CRPF martyrs from Pulwama terror attack to be true. This happened after the Congress president had paid his respects to the slain soldiers.
