Fact Check: Did Rahul Gandhi Hold Up Chinese Constitution At His Rallies?

The claim was first posted by BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 17.

A photo of Rahul Gandhi, an Indian politician and leader of the Congress party, 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 (archived here) 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 (archived here) 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."