Govt fact-checks viral AI deepfakes of PM, ministers; points to Pakistani handles | India News

NEW DELHI: The government has debunked doctored videos circulating on social media that wrongly showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi making threatening remarks against those protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over perpetual NEET paper leak. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact check unit said the clips were AI-generated deepfakes and did not reflect the Prime Minister’s actual statements.In related fact-checks, the government also flagged manipulated videos of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and commerce minister Piyush Goyal that were circulating on social media, falsely portraying them as making similar remarks against protesting students.In a post on X, the PIB fact check unit said, “Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a video of Prime Minister @narendramodi featuring fabricated statements that he never made regarding the protest in Delhi.”It added, “#PIBFactCheck: This is an ‘#AI-generated deepfake video’ shared to mislead the public. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did NOT make any such statement.”The fact-check unit said the original video shared by PM Modi had been digitally altered to create a misleading version. It further shared a link to the original, unedited video posted by the PM.The fake video circulating online showed an altered audio track in which PM Modi was allegedly made to say, “We are warning people against participating in the Cockroach Janata Party protest. Those who defy this warning will face strict action from the Government of India to ensure that such behaviour is not repeated in the future. Students are advised to focus on their education, failing which they will be compelled to face serious consequences. We are issuing a clear warning to the students.”The original video, posted by PM on his official social media account on Thursday, has since garnered 334 million views on Instagram. In the video, PM Modi addressed viewers as “Friends” and spoke directly into what appeared to be a phone’s front camera, held at arm’s length, with no podium, studio setup or formal backdrop.In the video, the PM said the paper leak issue had caused difficulties for lakhs of students and their parents. He said those responsible had been arrested and that steps were being taken to ensure students did not lose an academic year.The Prime Minister also said provisions for fast-track courts had been prepared and would be taken up by the Union cabinet.The fact check unit also debunked another AI-generated video that falsely showed the PM similar remarks about the cockroach janata party protests. In this manipulated clip, Modi appeared to say, “What is the problem with these cockroaches? Even if one paper gets leaked, what is the big deal? Students can simply appear for the examination again next year.” The PIB clarified that the remarks were fabricated and shared the original video, which showed the Prime Minister speaking about the monsoon and the ongoing Monsoon session of parliament.Additionally, the PIB flagged another digitally altered video of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan that falsely portrayed him threatening protesting students. The manipulated clip appeared to show Pradhan saying that “big leaders do not resign because of these cockroaches; they crush them under their shoes and throw them into dirty drains where they belong” and warning that protesters would “soon face grave consequences”. Refuting the claims, the PIB said, “Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did not make any such statement.”The fact-check unit blamed Pakistani propaganda accounts for circulating the digitally altered video containing fabricated claims. The original video was posted on the occasion of Sital Sasthi and made no reference to the protests.The manipulated clip surfaced amid continuing protests led by the CJP, which has consistently demanded that Pradhan be held accountable for the alleged NEET paper leaks and has called for the education minister’s resignation as one of its principal demands.In another fact check, the government flagged a separate manipulated video involving commerce minister Piyush Goyal, which falsely claimed that Goyal had made similar threatening remarks against Jantar Mantar protests.The PIB said, “Mr Goyal has made no such statement regarding the protests.”The government urged people to verify the authenticity of videos and rely on official sources before sharing them.