AAP Rallies Across Punjab, Slams SAD Over 'Fake Video' Defamation Campaign

The political landscape of Punjab witnessed heightened tensions on Saturday as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a series of protests across the state, vehemently accusing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of orchestrating a 'fake video' campaign to tarnish the image of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. These statewide demonstrations saw AAP workers and leaders taking to the streets in multiple cities, including Amritsar, Moga, Pathankot, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, and Ludhiana, demanding stringent legal action against the perpetrators of what they termed a malicious political conspiracy.

AAP leaders and workers gathered outside key locations, including the residence of BJP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh in Amritsar, raising slogans not only against SAD but also accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress of attempting to disturb Punjab's atmosphere through 'religion-based and hate politics'. MLA Dr. Ajay Gupta, addressing a gathering in Amritsar, asserted that while the BJP endeavors to divide people along religious lines, the resilient populace of Punjab would not permit such divisive tactics to succeed. Similarly, a major protest was held at Joginder Chowk in Moga, with significant participation from local MLAs and party officials, all united in their call for accountability regarding the alleged fake video.

The core of the AAP's accusation revolves around a purported video that they claim is being circulated to mislead the public and damage Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's reputation. This controversy has escalated significantly, with the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of authority for Sikhs, having earlier declared Mann a 'guru dokhi' (anti-guru) and 'Khalsa panth virodhi' (anti-Khalsa panth) on June 15, citing allegations that he made false statements concerning a reportedly objectionable video. The Akal Takht claimed that forensic examinations had found the video authentic and not AI-generated, accusing Mann of 'misleading' them by initially asserting the video was fake.

However, the AAP has countered these claims, stating that two independent laboratories, recognized by the Government of India, conducted forensic tests on the viral video and concluded that the person depicted in it does not match CM Bhagwant Mann. Senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, alongside AAP Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu, stated on June 18 that the entire episode was part of a larger political conspiracy to defame a popular Chief Minister. The forensic analysis, according to Cheema, meticulously examined 1,191 frames, scrutinizing facial features, height, body structure, posture, movement patterns, and side and back profiles, all leading to the conclusion that the individual in the video was not CM Mann.

This ongoing 'video row' has intensified the long-standing political rivalry between AAP and SAD, especially with the 2027 Assembly elections on the horizon. The SAD, under its president Sukhbir Singh Badal, has seized upon the controversy, challenging Mann to undergo a lie-detection test and announcing a 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' to seek his removal. Badal has alleged that Mann was found guilty of 'committing sacrilege' and 'most unforgivable outrage against the honour and sacred glory' of the Sikh gurus.

In response, the AAP has launched a strong counter-offensive, with CM Mann accusing Akali leadership of misleading the public and recalling past incidents, such as the alleged safe exit facilitated for culprits in the 1978 Sikh-Nirankari clash during the SAD regime. The party also took to social media, labeling Sukhbir Badal as 'history's biggest panth dokhi,' citing various allegations including the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing and alleged misuse of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

The broader political climate in Punjab remains charged, with all major parties, including Congress and BJP, engaging in a continuous showdown. The proliferation of deepfakes and AI-generated content has become a significant concern in Indian elections, with studies indicating a high exposure of voters to such manipulated media. While deepfakes can be used for various purposes, including voter outreach, they also pose a serious threat to democratic processes by spreading misinformation and creating false narratives, impacting public trust and electoral integrity. AAP leaders have demanded strict legal action against those who created and circulated the fake video, emphasizing that such 'vile politics' should not be tolerated. The controversy underscores the challenges political parties face in combating misinformation in the digital age and the critical importance of verifying information, particularly ahead of crucial elections.