Claim:
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows Union Minister Piyush Goyal making threatening remarks against students protesting in Delhi.
Verdict: False
What is the viral claim?
A video shared widely on social media appears to show Union Minister Piyush Goyal issuing threats against students participating in the ongoing protests in Delhi. The clip has been circulated to suggest that the Union Minister made controversial remarks targeting demonstrators.
What did the government say?
The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit has debunked the video.
According to PIB:
- The video is fake.
- It has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
- Piyush Goyal has made no such statement regarding the Delhi student protests.
The government said the clip has been manipulated to falsely attribute remarks to the Union Minister.
Who is behind the misinformation?
The PIB stated that the AI-generated video is being circulated by Pakistani propaganda networks to spread misinformation and mislead the public. According to the government, the objective is to amplify false narratives using AI-generated content.
Why is this significant?
The incident highlights the growing use of AI-generated deepfake videos during politically sensitive events. Modern AI tools can create realistic videos by cloning a person’s face and voice, making fabricated statements appear authentic. Such content can spread rapidly on social media and influence public opinion if viewers do not verify its authenticity. Government agencies have increasingly warned citizens to be cautious of manipulated videos, especially during major political developments or public protests.
What should people do?
The Factcheck India’s Factcheck Unit advises citizens to:
- Verify suspicious videos through official government sources.
- Avoid sharing unverified or manipulated content.
- Report misleading content to the Factcheck India Unit.
Fact Check Conclusion
The claim that Union Minister Piyush Goyal threatened student protesters in Delhi is false. The circulating clip is an AI-generated deepfake and that the minister never made the statements shown in the video. The government says the manipulated video is part of a misinformation campaign and has urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources. The Government of India has confirmed that the viral video is AI-generated and digitally manipulated.