A video at the centre of the student protest controversy has led to a police case, with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal alleging that his remarks outside Parliament were manipulated using artificial intelligence.
Goyal said the doctored video was designed to spread misinformation. An FIR was registered at Delhi’s Chanakyapuri Police Station at 4.35 am on Saturday following his complaint.
FIR registered over Piyush Goyal deepfake video
“My remarks to the media outside Parliament have been maliciously doctored using AI to create and circulate a deepfake video in an attempt to spread misinformation,” Goyal wrote on X.
The minister said legal action would extend beyond those accused of creating the video to people involved in its circulation and amplification.
“The irresponsible misuse of artificial intelligence to mislead the public cannot and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Goyal did not identify any individual or organisation as responsible for the video in his post.
Government says video falsely portrayed threat to students
The government had on Friday rejected the circulating clip as fake and AI-generated. The video purportedly showed Goyal making threatening remarks about students protesting in Delhi.
Government fact-checkers said Goyal had made no such statement about the demonstrations.
The minister urged social media users to verify the authenticity of information before accepting or circulating it.
“I have complete faith that India’s aware and tech-savvy citizens, especially our youth, will not fall prey to such misinformation,” Goyal said.
Deepfake row erupts amid student protests
The manipulated-video controversy has emerged amid continuing protests over alleged examination paper leaks and demands for changes to the competitive testing system.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast on Friday after receiving assurances from the government. Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
Goyal said Wangchuk’s decision reflected his trust in the government’s commitment to students.
“Sonam Wangchuk ji has ended his fast after my colleagues, Shri @JPNadda ji and Shri @DrJitendraSingh ji met him at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, and assured him of the government’s commitment to address the concerns. Wangchuk ji’s decision to end his fast reflects his trust in the Modi government’s commitment to students’ interests,” he wrote.
Goyal also reiterated the government’s position that it would take action against examination paper leaks and pursue reforms.
“The government has time and again reiterated its resolve to act firmly against paper leaks and strengthen examination reforms. The interests of the nation’s youth remain a top priority for the government,” he said.