'Saw Aishwarya Rai At Ram Mandir Event': Social Media 'Fact-Checks' Rahul Gandhi's Comment

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj city during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, said that the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha was attended by Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the “people who truly run the country” were missing from the event. He asked the gathering of people if they saw any OBC or ST/SC faces at the event. Netizens on social media have ‘fact-checked’ his statement since reports stated that Aishwarya Rai did not attend the event.

Both Amitabh Bachchan as well as his son Abhishek Bachchan were present at the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha which took place on January 22.

Addressing a gathering, the Wayanad MP said, “Did you see the 'Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha'? Did you see any OBC or ST/SC faces? It was attended by Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Bachchan, and PM Narendra Modi, but we didn't see the people who truly run the country. These people want to ensure that you guys can never control the country.”

Netizens on social media pointed it out to him that Aishwarya Rai did not attend the event. One user wrote, “Ram Mandir ke karyakram mein Aishwarya Rai ise hi dikhi baki kisi ko nahin dikhi (At the Ram Mandir event, only he saw Aishwarya Rai, no one else did), while another wrote, “You saw Aishwarya Rai at Ayodhya Shree Ram Pranapratishsthapana, when she wasn't present while you did not see hundreds of Shramajeeves who @narendramodijee appreciated by showering petals? More lies?”

A third user posted, “Aishwarya Rai was not there and many poor were also invited. When devotees come to Ayodhya, the poor of Ayodhya will earn,” while a fourth user commented, “Amitabh aur Abhishek Bacchan dikhe the isne aishwarya rai kha dekh li (Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan could be seen, but where did he see Aishwarya there)

A fifth user wrote, “Sir, while your intentions may be good, it's important to consider the political implications of using the names of Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. It may not be perceived well by the public and could potentially backfire.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22 led the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in the Ayodhya Temple. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined PM Modi inside the sanctorum during the rituals, while devotees and guests chanted 'Jai Sri Ram' throughout the ceremony.