DigitEye India Fact Checkers
As the image of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi displaying the red-coloured copy of the Constitution of India has become a norm in many of his rallies recently, his opponents have taken exception stating that the copy was that of the Chinese constitution and not Indian Constitution.
The claim, posted by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma on Friday suggested that Rahul Gandhi is holding a copy of the ‘original Chinese constitution,’ which is said to have a ‘red cover,’ while the original Indian constitution has a ‘blue cover.’ See the post here:
The original copy of the Constitution of India has a blue cover .
The original Chinese constitution has a red cover.
Does Rahul carry a Chinese Constitution? We will need to verify. pic.twitter.com/ZVueIOweDA
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 17, 2024
Sarma tweeted, ‘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.’
The next day, on May 18, 2024, he further defended 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.”
Rahul is displaying a red Chinese constitution to the people attending his meetings.
Our constitution, in blue, includes a chapter called the Directive Principles of State Policy, which makes it a sacred duty to enact a Uniform Civil Code in our country; Rahul is now opposing… https://t.co/U06wC5U2gw pic.twitter.com/rHlxxzd37z
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 18, 2024
As seen in the tweet above, two images one of the Chinese constitution with a red cover and another of the Indian constitution with a blue cover are shown. The tweet has gone viral and triggered a debate on social media.
FACT-CHECK
In all his recent public rallies, Rahul Gandhi was seen with the red-coloured copy of book. He stressed the importance of the Constitution which has ensured equality among the poor and the rich with same fundamental rights, besides providing the reservation for the weaker sections of the people in India. When we checked the book closely, we realised that the text on the red copy clearly states, “Constitution of India”.
Constitution: What Modi fears! pic.twitter.com/ObtiaXhLa1
— Telangana Youth Congress (@IYCTelangana) April 29, 2024
The original Constitution of India, in English and Hand Written Version is seen here:
However, a red-covered Indian constitution book, a special edition by Gopal Sankaranarayanan titled ‘Constitution of India (Coat Pocket Edition),’ was published by Eastern Book Company (EBC), which is available on the EBC Webstore, and also on the Amazon online shopping as seen below:
The copy Rahul Gandhi was seen holding and displaying in public rallies was the same EBC edition by Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
In comparison, the Chinese Constitution in red colour is seen below but the text appears below on the cover page.
Hence, the claim is false.
Claim: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is not holding a copy of the Indian Constitution but a Chinese Constitution.
Conclusion: The claim is false. Rahul Gandhi is carrying a red (coat pocket) version of the Constitution of India by Gopal Sankaranarayanan (published by EBC) and not the Chinese constitution.
Rating: Totally False — 
