New Delhi: A single photo has set off a big debate in Indian politics. On Monday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress party of using an AI-generated image to make its rally crowd look larger. AI, or artificial intelligence, can create realistic images.
The Rally
On Sunday, the INDIA bloc’s opposition parties met at Ramlila Maidan, a famous spot in Delhi. They demanded that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar resign. The CEC ensures that elections in India are fair.
The Election Commission’s performance frustrates the opposition. They are especially concerned about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a method for updating the voter list. Some media reports have raised questions about this. The Election Commission and the BJP called these claims a “fake narrative.”
Many top leaders attended, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Tejashwi Yadav. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, led the protest.
The Photo Under Fire
After the rally, Congress MP Vamsi Gaddam and others posted a photo online showing a large crowd. Rijiju shared this image on X, claiming it was AI-made. He wrote, “Even the creators of the fake AI photo to show that Ramlila ground was full did not do it properly.”
Many users on social media agreed. They noted that the images of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi looked strange, and the stage seemed different from reality. Former MP Jagdish Thakor also shared the image.
BJP: “A Flop Show”
BJP leaders posted photos and videos of empty chairs. Spokesperson Sambit Patra said Congress had promised one million attendees, but about 40 percent of the ground was empty. He noted that between 3:30 and 4 pm, around 5,000 to 7,000 of the 28,000 chairs were empty.
Another BJP spokesperson, C.R. Kesavan, shared a video showing the empty seats, claiming people left when Rahul Gandhi started speaking.
Congress Hits Back
Congress responded by sharing drone videos and photos to show that a large crowd attended. They have not yet addressed the AI photo claim.
Rahul Gandhi’s Big Claim
In his speech, Rahul Gandhi said the 2024 election would be unfair due to “vote theft.” He claimed Gyanesh Kumar played a major role and would “go to jail.” He also stated that the opposition would confront Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah after Kumar is removed.
Patra responded that challenges to elections should come through court petitions, not from a rally.
A Symbolic “Impeachment”
A day earlier, opposition leaders held a symbolic “impeachment” of the CEC at Mallikarjun Kharge’s home. While impeachment is a legal process, this event had no real power.
What Now?
Both sides are sharing their own images and data, making it hard for the public to know the true crowd size. The opposition claims it will continue its campaign, while the BJP and the Election Commission maintain that they are running the elections fairly.
