Politics intensifies in Uttarakhand over AI videos; ‘Harish Rawat’ issues a threat, and the BJP also becomes aggressive

A controversy related to social media is currently making headlines in Uttarakhand politics. A video generated using artificial intelligence (AI) by the BJP has stirred up a storm in political circles. The video uses a picture of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat and features an audio clip related to “Mazar Sharanam Gacchami” (seeking refuge at a shrine) in the background. The BJP has cited this as an example of the Congress party’s appeasement politics, while the Congress has termed it a conspiracy to divide society.

The AI-generated video of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat is being circulated on social media, portraying him as a benefactor of a particular community. This video was shared from the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Uttarakhand BJP. This video is considered quite significant in the context of the upcoming 2027 assembly elections.

Harish Rawat’s reaction: Harish Rawat has now responded to the video. He said that he wants to tell the BJP leaders to apologize to the people of the state for their lies. He stated that if the false narrative being created against him on social media using artificial intelligence is not immediately deleted and publicly retracted, he will expose the true nature of the BJP and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He also questioned the BJP, asking what kind of party it is whose official pages are only spreading lies.

He further stated that political attacks are being launched against political opponents using lies. If an apology is not issued for this lie and the video is not removed, he will be forced to file an FIR against the BJP at the police station. He will also file a case against the BJP under cybercrime laws. – Harish Rawat, Former Chief Minister

Harish Rawat said that he will not stop there, but will continuously visit the BJP office for seven days to expose this deceitful politics. He said that he has endured the wounds of 2017 and 2022, but now, for the upcoming 2027 elections, the BJP is attacking him with lies and trying to create a negative atmosphere against him. But he is not even ready to tolerate that.

He will fight against this, and if he has the courage, let him tell us what steps Harish Rawat took for Muslim appeasement? The steps that Harish Rawat took, aren’t your governments taking those same steps? You can lie about Friday prayers, you can lie about a Muslim university. – Harish Rawat, former Chief Minister

He said that one day people will understand how their attention is being diverted from real issues based on lies. The state’s development is becoming unbalanced, and to divert attention from these issues, to divert attention from rising corruption and unemployment, they are spreading this kind of false propaganda and misleading the state’s politics.

Mahendra Bhatt responded: In this matter, BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt said that the Congress has become so serious about AI videos now. So many AI-generated videos of BJP leaders are being circulated, but at that time, Congress leaders don’t understand. How is it that today Congress is feeling pain over an artificial video?

When a purported audio of the state president went viral, Congress was saying that it was definitely not AI. But today, when Harish Rawat’s audio is being heard, how can it be called AI? – Mahendra Bhatt, State President, BJP

Mahendra Bhatt said that when an issue goes to the public, the public decides for itself. Harish Rawat’s approach has always been one of appeasement, and Harish Rawat’s love for Muslims in Uttarakhand is well-known. Therefore, it is natural for Congress to react this way when the public is starting to accept this fact.