A sharp political confrontation erupted on Monday, October 26, 2026, after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Indian National Congress of circulating an AI-generated fake video targeting the Indian Army — and demanded a public apology to the nation.

Rijiju minced no words in his post, calling the alleged act 'vishwaasghati kritya' (a treacherous act) and drawing a direct equivalence with enemy propaganda. In English, he wrote: 'Congress Party must apologize to the nation for spreading fake AI video to tarnish the image of Indian Army.' In Hindi, he went further — 'This is a treacherous act and is equivalent to the vile deeds of our enemies. The Congress party is running a despicable campaign of India's enemies.'

Why an AI-generated Army video is a flashpoint

Accusations involving manipulated or AI-fabricated media targeting the armed forces carry particular political voltage in India. The Indian Army — constitutionally insulated from partisan debate — cannot directly rebut content circulating on social media, making ministers and spokespersons the de facto responders. Rijiju, as a senior BJP leader and a cabinet-rank minister, carrying this charge publicly signals the ruling party intends to press the issue hard.

Indian political discourse has witnessed a growing pattern of allegations around manipulated media during security-sensitive periods. AI-generated video, in particular, has emerged as a new front in what both ruling and opposition parties have described as 'information warfare.' The BJP has previously accused Congress of amplifying narratives it says are hostile to national security; Congress has countered with parallel accusations of disinformation from the ruling side.

Congress yet to respond; fact-check outcome awaited

As of the time of publication, Congress had not issued an official response to Rijiju's demand. The specific video referenced in the post — its content, the date of its circulation, and any independent verification of its authenticity — remains unconfirmed from available sources. The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit and independent digital-forensics organisations have not, as of this report, publicly weighed in on the specific clip.

The broader stakes are clear: if a fabricated video targeting the armed forces is confirmed to have been deliberately spread, it would likely trigger demands for action under India's information-technology regulations. If the charge itself is disputed, it sets up a fiery legislative-session exchange between the treasury and opposition benches.

A minister accusing an opposition party of running 'a despicable campaign of India's enemies' is not routine language — it is an escalation that the Congress party will need to answer directly, and soon.