The Congress party has filed a formal FIR against two individuals for allegedly morphing and circulating a fake image of Rahul Gandhi on a sanitary pad, which went viral on social media. The incident comes in the wake of the party’s recent rollout of its ‘Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana’, a menstrual hygiene initiative launched in Bihar.

The FIR was registered at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru, based on a complaint by Priyanka Devi, a Youth Congress worker. The accused individuals, identified as Ratan Ranjan and Arun Kosil, allegedly doctored a photo of Rahul Gandhi and displayed it on a sanitary napkin packet, creating and disseminating misleading visuals across various online platforms.

Congress’ Reaction and Legal Action

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate confirmed the lodging of the FIR and emphasized that the party would take strict legal action against the offenders and anyone else involved in sharing the manipulated content. “An FIR has been lodged against the misuse of Rahul Gandhi’s image to create a fake video. Action is also being taken against others involved,” she stated.

According to the complaint, the forged image was intended to defame Rahul Gandhi, mislead the public, and promote misogynistic narratives. The viral video falsely implied that the Congress party was distributing sanitary pads featuring Rahul Gandhi’s photo, which sparked widespread backlash and ridicule on social media.

The FIR includes serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):

• Section 192: Provoking with intent to cause riots.

• Section 336(4): Forgery of electronic records to damage someone's reputation.

• Section 353: Circulation of false statements or rumors likely to incite public mischief, fear, or animosity.

Backdrop: Congress’ Menstrual Hygiene Initiative

The controversy coincides with the Congress party’s launch of the 'Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana', aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene awareness among women in Bihar. The campaign involves distribution of sanitary pads and informational kits to women across rural and urban areas of the state. The campaign was launched after survey data highlighted the urgent need for menstrual health awareness in Bihar.

The party has also used the campaign to connect with women voters, particularly in the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. Images of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are prominently displayed on the initiative’s boxes and kits, with the goal of increasing visibility of the campaign and enhancing the party’s outreach to female voters.

Opposition Reactions and Political Row

Opposition parties have lashed out at Congress, mocking the use of male political figures on a women-centric health product. While some criticized it as inappropriate branding, others seized the moment to accuse the party of desperation and gimmickry.

Some groups questioned the logic of placing Rahul Gandhi’s image on sanitary products, arguing that it may alienate the very audience the campaign intends to support. Congress, however, insists that the campaign’s focus is solely on women’s health and empowerment, and the leadership images are for awareness purposes only.

This sparked a heated political row, with BJP-aligned voices branding the campaign as an insult to women and calling for an apology. In response, Congress said that the image in the viral video is fake and deliberately doctored to malign both the party and its leaders.

Why It Matters

The timing of this incident is significant. Congress has been trying to build a stronger presence in Bihar, especially among women and youth voters, with Rahul Gandhi seen as a prominent face of the rejuvenated strategy. The party’s efforts to focus on menstrual hygiene, a largely neglected area in many rural regions, were meant to position the Congress as a progressive and empathetic force.

However, the controversy over the fake viral video has led to unintended embarrassment. While the party has taken a strong legal route, the damage control is ongoing.

Social Media Impact

The doctored video and images were widely circulated on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Hashtags such as #SanitaryPadRow, #RahulGandhiMeme, and #BiharPolitics trended for hours, drawing a flood of opinions from both supporters and critics. Some social media users expressed shock, while others trolled the Congress campaign as “tone-deaf.”

Despite clarifications from official party accounts and leaders, the misinformation spread rapidly, necessitating legal recourse and digital reporting. Congress’ digital media cell has also been active in flagging and removing content reported as fake and defamatory.

Conclusion: Free Speech vs. Fake Propaganda

This case raises critical questions about the limits of political satire, digital misinformation, and ethical campaigning. While Congress is firm that Rahul Gandhi’s photo was never intended to be used in such a manner, the incident has once again spotlighted the dangers of manipulated content in Indian politics.

As the Bihar elections draw closer, the narrative of empowerment and outreach could be undermined by false propaganda, and legal cases like this may become more frequent. Congress, meanwhile, appears ready to defend its leaders and campaign integrity, using both legal and digital tools.

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