Priyank Kharge faces backlash over alleged AI-edited photo on RSS

Bengaluru: Home Minister Priyank Kharge has become the focus of political controversy after sharing on social media, a photograph alleged to have been edited with AI. The image accompanied his questioning of RSS connections in an alleged large-scale bullet seizure case that occurred in Bihar and Haryana.

On November 10, Kharge posted on his X account about the cartridge seizure, referring to reports and photographs that some accused involved in an interstate ammunition smuggling network were wearing RSS uniforms.

Subsequent examination of the viral photo indicated that the original showed only one person in RSS uniform while the later version depicted others in the same attire, prompting claims that AI tools had been used for the alteration.

Netizens responded heatedly to the post. Several asked why the minister was unnecessarily raising the RSS matter instead of concentrating on law and order in the state. One user cited the example of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shaking hands with a terrorist and asked what answer Kharge would offer if the same logic were applied.

Another user remarked that Kharge, who had earlier spoken of taking strict action against those who spread fake news, now appeared to be circulating misinformation himself.

A further comment described as condemnable the act of a person occupying the responsible post of Home Minister making accusations against the RSS on the basis of an AI-created image. The comment added that truth and falsehood should have been checked before any allegation, and that the Home Minister’s priority must remain maintenance of law and order in the state together with action against criminals rather than political propaganda through baseless charges.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya strongly criticised Priyank Kharge, accusing the Home Minister of spreading false news and insisting that he resign from the ministerial position. “We have a fake news peddler as Home Minister of our state. And this bloke wanted to set up some fact check unit or something. Sad state of affairs,” he said.

Separately, a complaint was lodged on November 10 at the Banashankari police station alleging that false and misleading information had been circulated on social media.

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