Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's name appeared in the register for 'non-Hindus' at the Somnath Temple on Wednesday, triggering a controversy on social media, which the party tried to put to rest by terming the entry 'fake'.

"Rahul ji made an entry into the visitor's book. The signature which is being talked of is different. Neither it is the signature of Rahul Gandhi nor was this register ever given to him, Congress spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala said.

Showing another 'visitor's book' bearing name, address and signature of Rahul, Congress leader Deependra Hooda said, "Here is the original signature of Rahul Gandhi at Somnath Temple. Very clearly. The other signature is written as 'Rahul Gandhi ji', why would he write ji? Don't know who wrote it. The BJP doing what it does best, diverting from real issues.'

Surjewala said that 'not only is Rahul Gandhi ji a Hindu, he is a 'janeu dhari' (wearing sacred thread) Hindu. So the BJP should not bring down the political discourse to this level.

Earlier in the day, social media was abuzz with Rahul's name appearing in the register maintained by the temple of non-Hindu visitors.

Rahul visited the temple on Wednesday morning.

The Indian Express quoted the secretary of Shree Somnath Trust, Pravin Laheri, as saying: "We have a rule that all non-Hindus have to register their names. Somebody entered the names of Ahmed Patel and Rahul Gandhi in this register. The temple has nothing to do with it.'

As soon as the controversy erupted, the Congress party said in a tweet, with a photo claiming to be of the 'only visitor's book' at the temple, 'Clarification: There is only one visitor's book at Somnath Temple that was signed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated. Desperate times call for desperate measures?'  -- ANI

IMAGE: The photograph posted by the Congress on Twitter, claiming to be the 'only visitor's book' given to Rahul Gandhi at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat on Wednesday. Photograph: Courtesy: @INCIndia/Twitter