A post is doing the rounds on social media platforms with a claim that the Congress party is distributing sanitary pads in Bihar, which carry the image of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi inside them.
What have users said?: Those sharing the images have captioned it saying, "Congress distributed 5 Lakhs Sanitary pads to women as a campaign during Bihar elections. Guess what - Rahul Gandhi picture printed not just on packet but inside the pad as well..."
What we know: The Congress had indeed launched a campaign in Bihar aiming to distribute around five lakh sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene.
However, the party has denied putting Gandhi's photo inside the pads.
It has also filed an First Information Report (FIR) against a comedian named Ratan Ranjan and others for allegedly creating a fake video of Gandhi's photo on a sanitary pad.
News reports: A report published in The Telegraph said that a Congress member has filed an FIR against comedian Ratan Ranjan and others for allegedly sharing an morphed image of Gandhi on a sanitary pad.
The member alleged that Ranjan had posted an altered image that showed Gandhi's photo inside a sanitary pad.
It should be noted that the All India Mahila Congress had launched a campaign in Bihar recently, where sanitary pads were distributed to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene.
More details on the controversy: The Times of India, in its report, said that Congress' campaign called 'Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana' trigged a political controversy in Bihar.
After Gandhi's image was spotted on sanitary pad boxes, members of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) called it a "direct insult" to women.
The report further mentioned that the sanitary pad box carried the image of Gandhi and also promised Rs 2,500 monthly to women if the party is voted into government.
Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have criticised the move and said that the government has been taking steps for women empowerment.
Congress rejects viral claims: Party leader Supriya Shrinate took to her official X handle to clarify that the viral video was "fake" and blamed the BJP for "spreading lies".
The post that was shared on 5 July was captioned, "The BJP is lying even about the sanitary pads that will keep women healthy and safe. Know the truth here."
It showed All India Mahila Congress' president Alka Lamba opening a box of sanitary pad that carried the image of party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. However, the pads did not carry any images inside it.
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