Fact Check: Viral post on Congress manifesto makes misleading claims

A social media post is circulating, alleging to contain points from the Indian National Congress' manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It claims that the Congress party intends to reintroduce Triple Talaq and uphold Muslim personal laws, while also advocating for reservations to the Muslim community in both government and private sector jobs.

The post further suggests that the party supports concepts like 'Love Jihad', the wearing of burqas, opposes majoritarianism, expresses solidarity with Gaza and Hamas, and advocates for a ban on demolishing illegal constructions.

Additionally, it alleges that the Congress manifesto includes plans to legalize same-sex marriage, recognize gender fluidity and the transgender movement, and allow for acts that could be considered treason.

Moreover, it asserts that the Congress party plans to increase the representation of Muslim judges in the judiciary, combat mob lynching, legalize beef consumption and establish a separate rate of interest for Muslims.

Fact Check:

The claim is false.

To check the authenticity of the viral post, we reviewed both the English and Hindi versions of the manifesto on the party's website. We found that neither version mentioned the points claimed in the post. However, the manifesto did discuss issues related to the current government's authoritative and majoritarian tendencies, emphasizing the importance of upholding India's history and democratic traditions. Additionally, it addressed defamation, not sedition and committed to decriminalizing defamation while safeguarding freedom of speech and expression.

Let us look into the long list of claims made in the viral post.

The initial claim circulating on social media suggests that the Congress party, if elected, plans to revive the Triple Talaq law and bolster personal laws. While the Congress manifesto does not explicitly mention the revival of the Triple Talaq law, it does state, "We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned."

This indicates that the party aims to engage in the reformation of personal laws in consultation with the relevant communities. Therefore, while the manifesto commits to reforming personal laws, it is inaccurate to assert that the Congress will bring back the Triple Talaq law outright.

In the section titled 'Equity' in its manifesto, the Congress party has pledged to pass a Constitutional amendment to lift the existing 50 per cent cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Additionally, the manifesto promises a 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections of society, irrespective of caste or community. However, the manifesto does not specifically mention reservations for Muslims in private and government jobs as claimed in the viral post. It did not single out the Muslim community for reservations in jobs.

The claim suggests that the Congress supports 'Love Jihad', burqas, and legalizing beef, but these specific terms are not mentioned in the manifesto. Instead, the manifesto emphasizes respecting personal choices regarding food and dress, love and marriage, and promises to repeal laws that unreasonably restrict personal freedoms.

The claim regarding ending majoritarianism and allowing treason by removing sedition is not supported by either version of the manifesto. However, the manifesto does critique the current government for being authoritative and majoritarian, emphasizing that such values contradict India's history and democratic traditions.

Furthermore, the manifesto addresses defamation, not sedition, and pledges to decriminalize defamation while restoring freedom of speech and expression if the Congress is voted to power.

Supporting Gaza and Hamas: The manifesto aims to restore India's reputation as a voice of peace and moderation in foreign policy but doesn't mention support for Hamas specifically.

While the manifesto doesn't explicitly mention banning bulldozer action and mob lynchings, it opposes such measures and promises to stop them immediately.

Regarding LGBTQIA+ rights, the Congress promises to recognize civil unions for same-sex couples but doesn't mention gender fluidity or the trans-movement.

The manifesto doesn't propose a specific communal violence bill but pledges to address hate speeches, hate crimes, and communal conflicts.

It also doesn't mention lower interest rates for Muslims or increasing the number of Muslim judges. Instead, it aims for diversity in the judiciary by appointing judges from various communities, including religious minorities. Hence, the claim is misleading.