How Indian Express fooled all of us including Modi on Rahul’s ‘coconut juice’ comment

Rahul Gandhi’s gaffes are well-known now. In his early years, one might have reacted with disbelief on seeing that the Gandhi scion had made a blunder in a speech, but now, the tables have turned. One almost expects Rahul to falter at some place or the other in his speeches. Thus, thanks to his reputation, it doesn’t surprise anyone that Rahul Gandhi has made a faux pas.

Yesterday, it was reported that Rahul Gandhi had added to his list of bloopers. The Indian Express, tweeted from its official handle that Rahul Gandhi had said the following in one of his rallies:

I would also want when someone drinks coconut juice in London and sees ‘Made in Manipur is written on it: Rahul Gandhi

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) February 28, 2017

This was shortly after his remark of “Made in UP” mangoes. Social media users found the “coconut juice” part hilarious and as usual Rahul Gandhi became the butt of jokes:

I too want to have ‘Coconut juice’. Never heard of it. #Pappuism https://t.co/ZvqWEZ4lvm

— हम भारत के लोग (@India_Policy) February 28, 2017

From ‘Aloo ki factory’ to ‘Coconut juice’, this Joker @OfficeOfRG never fails at showing his idiocy. Pappu forever! https://t.co/GY5mG8GD4R

— Devika (@Dayweekaa) March 1, 2017

Coconut juice ???? https://t.co/E8hfiRHnBq

— Amit Thadhani (@amitsurg) February 28, 2017

Today, Prime Minister Modi also picked up this statement in the media, and mocked Rahul without naming him:

Juice santre,nimbu ka hota hai.Nariyal ka juice hota hai kya? Nariyal Kerala mein hota hai par ye Manipur me nariyal ka juice nikalenge: PM pic.twitter.com/GFfDA3rVaD

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 1, 2017

But wait. There is a twist. Apparently, Rahul Gandhi never said “coconut juice” in his speech. In an example of fantastic journalism, The Indian Express fact-checked PM Modi, and showed a video, which clearly showed that Rahul had in fact referred to “Pineapple juice”. His exact statement was:

“Here (in Manipur) you grow nimbu, narangi (oranges), pineapple… I hope that such a day comes that when someone in London drinks pineapple juice, they look at the box and see ‘Made in Manipur’.”

But wait. There is another twist. Scroll back up and check which media house had reported that Rahul Gandhi had referred to “Coconut juice” in his speech. YES! It was the Indian Express, the same Indian Express which now bravely fact-checked the PM.

This is probably the best strategy ever: Start a lie yourself, wait till your enemy falls for it, and then attack your enemy saying they are propagating a lie! Truly, journalism of courage this!

Thanks to @ssudhirkumar for pointing this out:

This is why they are called newstraders. IE misreports in the first place, and then blame PM for picking up that report. pic.twitter.com/k91BqJ0YjD

— S. Sudhir Kumar (@ssudhirkumar) March 1, 2017