Court intervenes following complaint about video depicting PM Modi and his late mother Heeraben Modi.
The Patna High Court has instructed the Congress party to remove a 36-second artificial intelligence-generated video from all social media platforms. This decision came after a complaint that claimed the video tarnished the reputation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his deceased mother, Heeraben Modi, as reported by NDTV.
Posted by the Congress’ Bihar unit on September 10, the video quickly gained traction, amassing 7.1 million views by the following Wednesday morning. The content of the video depicted Prime Minister Modi dreaming about a conversation with his late mother, who was portrayed as criticizing his political actions in Bihar. This portrayal raised concerns, especially in the context of the upcoming state Assembly elections anticipated in October or November.
On September 13, the Delhi Police responded to the situation by registering a first information report regarding the video, citing allegations of defamation against the Prime Minister and his mother. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted strongly, accusing the Congress of showing disrespect toward Heeraben Modi.
Union minister Giriraj Singh, who represents the Begusarai constituency in Bihar, characterized the Congress’s actions as crossing a line. He made a statement suggesting that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s actions reflect a broader lack of respect, not only for his own mother but also for others. This statement echoed the sentiments of several BJP leaders who criticized the video.
In response to the backlash, the Congress party defended its position, asserting that the video did not aim to disrespect either the Prime Minister or his mother. Pawan Khera, the party’s publicity chief, questioned the objections raised by the BJP, arguing that the video simply illustrated a scenario where a mother was attempting to guide her son toward making better choices. He emphasized that the portrayal was not intended to be disrespectful to either Heeraben Modi or her son.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the political parties in India, particularly as the election season approaches. The court’s directive reflects the sensitivity surrounding public representations of political figures and their families, especially in a politically charged environment. The outcome of this incident may influence future political discourse and the use of digital media in campaign strategies.
