Delhi Police Crack Down on AI-Generated Anti-Modi Content

The Delhi Police ordered social media platforms, including X, to remove abusive and defamatory content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The crackdown follows student protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and violent clashes during a July 20 Sansad Chalo march. Police allege a coordinated misinformation campaign utilizing AI-generated deepfakes to mislead the public, identifying over 480 social media handles allegedly linked to Pakistan that were previously active during Operation Sindoor.

Law enforcement issued notices under the Information Technology Act to block approximately 450 accounts and requested user login records to identify those responsible. The police also debunked a viral deepfake video claiming Deputy Commissioner of Police Sumit Jha had resigned over the protests. To manage the unrest, authorities deployed 3,000 personnel to Jantar Mantar and used facial recognition cameras to identify over 2,000 individuals with criminal records.

The protests, which centered on irregularities in NEET and CBSE examinations, ended on July 25 after the government accepted CJP demands. These included the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the withdrawal of 15 FIRs against protesters, and ₹1 crore in compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide. While Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress condemned the "brutal and disproportionate" use of force during the July 20 march, which injured 130 police officers and 65 students, police maintain the actions were necessary to curb anti-social elements.