PIB flags fake video of President Murmu shared by Pakistani propaganda accounts

New Delhi: The PIB Fact Check team on Wednesday flagged a digitally altered video of President Droupadi Murmu that was being circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts with false claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using her as a prop to promote Rafale fighter jets.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PIB Fact Check clarified:

“Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally altered video of President Droupadi Murmu with false claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using her as a prop to elevate Rafale PR.”

In the AI-generated video, an artificial voice mimics President Murmu falsely claiming that she was being "blackmailed" by the Modi Government to participate in Rafale-related promotions. The manipulated clip features statements such as: "I want to request the citizens of our country that Modi Ji's Hindutva government blackmailed me and ordered me to sit in Rafale… If anything happens to me, Modi Ji and his Hindutva politics will be responsible."

PIB Fact Check categorically dismissed these claims, asserting that "The President of India has NOT made any such statement," warning that the video is AI-generated and shared with the intent to mislead the public.

Following the incident, the fact-checking unit also shared a link to the authentic, unedited video, urging users to report such misinformation immediately via official channels through WhatsApp at +91 8799711259 or email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.

Previously, the PIB flagged another AI-manipulated warning users about a video featuring Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, which falsely promoted an "investment programme" promising returns of Rs 60,000 in 24 hours and ₹10 lakh a month, reported IANS.

"A video on Facebook falsely shows Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman promoting an investment program that promises easy daily income. The Finance Minister or the Government of India has NOT launched or endorsed any such scheme," PIB Fact Check clarified in an official post.

The agency cautioned citizens against such "get-rich-quick traps", advising them to verify any claims before making financial decisions.

"Don't fall for such get-rich-quick traps! Stay alert. Stay informed. Verify before you share," PIB warned.

PIB also highlighted the signs of video manipulation to look for — such as distorted lip movements, mismatched voice sync, inconsistent backgrounds, or fake logos — and to verify links, ensuring that official government websites always end with ".gov.in."