In a major development just months before the Bihar Assembly elections, the Patna High Court has directed the Congress party to immediately remove a controversial AI-generated video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother, Heeraben Modi, from all social media platforms.
The video, posted by the Bihar Congress unit on September 10, was a 36-second clip that explicitly carried the label “AI GENERATED”. In the video, the Prime Minister is portrayed as dreaming of his late mother, who is shown criticizing him for his policies in poll-bound Bihar. While Congress claimed the video was a piece of satire meant to highlight governance issues, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called it a “shameful and unethical attack” on the Prime Minister and the sanctity of motherhood.
High Court’s Strong Directions
Acting Chief Justice PB Bajantri of the Patna High Court heard the matter and ordered that the video be taken down from all social media handles, including those run by the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) and its digital media team. The court observed that such content could escalate political tensions and hurt public sentiments, particularly when it involves a deceased family member of a sitting Prime Minister.
The order comes after BJP leaders and NDA allies strongly condemned the clip, terming it a desperate attempt by Congress to gain attention ahead of the Bihar polls.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy began when the Bihar Congress unit shared the AI-generated clip on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. The video went viral within hours, sparking a political storm.
The BJP accused Congress of crossing the line of civil political discourse by dragging the Prime Minister’s late mother into campaign politics. Several senior BJP leaders, including members of the party’s IT Cell, urged the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to take strict action.
The Congress party, on its part, defended the clip, saying that it was not intended to insult PM Modi or his mother but to make a satirical statement about his policies and governance record. They argued that the “AI GENERATED” watermark made it clear that the video was fictional and should be interpreted as a political cartoon in digital form.
Legal Action and FIR
Following the outrage, Sanket Gupta, convenor of the BJP Delhi Election Cell, filed a formal complaint with Delhi Police. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered on September 13 at the North Avenue Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code related to defamation and insulting the modesty of women.
The complaint highlighted that the video was defamatory, offensive, and in poor taste, as it dragged a deceased person into political mudslinging. The complainant also alleged that it could incite hatred and disturb public peace, especially in an election-bound state.
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A Repeat of Recent Controversies
This is not the first time PM Modi and his mother have been targeted in political campaigns. Just weeks earlier, during the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ organized jointly by Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Darbhanga on August 27, slogans with offensive language allegedly aimed at the Prime Minister and his mother were raised from the stage.
PM Modi had then responded sharply, calling the incident “unimaginable” and “an insult to all mothers, sisters, and daughters of the country.” He emphasized that his mother had “nothing to do with politics” and criticized the opposition for dragging family members into political debates.
Larger Debate on AI and Political Ethics
This controversy also brings to light the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence in politics. AI-generated videos, also known as deepfakes, are increasingly being used for satire, criticism, or sometimes for spreading disinformation.
Experts have warned that without proper regulation, AI content could blur the line between reality and fiction, confuse voters, and damage reputations. The Election Commission of India has also been deliberating on guidelines for the use of AI in political campaigns, to ensure that technology does not mislead or defame.
Implications for the Bihar Elections
With the Bihar Assembly elections just months away, the political climate in the state is already charged. This latest controversy may further polarize voters. The BJP is expected to use the issue to corner Congress, painting it as a party that disrespects Indian values and traditions.
Congress, on the other hand, may argue that its freedom of expression is being curtailed and that satire is a legitimate tool of political commentary. However, the High Court order puts legal pressure on the party to comply and avoid contempt of court.
Political analysts believe that while the video might have been designed to provoke debate, it could also backfire by drawing sympathy for the Prime Minister. Historically, personal attacks on leaders have often resulted in a rally-around-the-leader effect, benefitting the person targeted.
Public Sentiment and Social Media
Social media reactions have been sharply divided. While BJP supporters demanded accountability and legal action, some Congress sympathizers defended the video as creative political messaging. Many neutral users, however, expressed discomfort over the inclusion of PM Modi’s late mother in political discourse, calling it unnecessary and insensitive.
The incident has also sparked a larger conversation on whether there should be stricter oversight of political content on digital platforms, especially AI-generated material that can spread quickly and influence voter perception.
Moving Forward
With the High Court’s directive, the Congress will have to remove the video from all platforms and refrain from using similar content in future campaigns. The BJP is expected to keep the pressure on and may even push for further legal proceedings if compliance is delayed.
This episode serves as a reminder for all political parties about the ethical boundaries of electioneering. While criticism of policies is a part of healthy democracy, involving family members of political leaders—especially deceased ones—can cross the line and hurt public sensibilities.
As India heads into a busy election season with multiple state polls and the 2024 general elections not far away, the debate over political ethics, free speech, and AI-generated content is likely to intensify.
