Piyush Goyal Files FIR After AI Deepfake Targets NEET Protest Narrative

Law Enforcement Action and Digital Takedowns

Federal authorities have started removing various social media links hosting a deepfake video of Union Minister Piyush Goyal. This enforcement follows an official police complaint filed by the Commerce and Industry Minister, who reported that his media interactions outside Parliament were illicitly manipulated using artificial intelligence. At 4:35 AM on July 25, 2026, Chanakyapuri Police Station registered FIR No. 123/26 in response to the incident. Goyal stated that the government would pursue strict legal consequences for anyone found producing, distributing, or intentionally boosting the fraudulent footage.

Context of the Manipulated Content

The controversy centers on a video altered to show Goyal issuing threats against students. These individuals are currently participating in nationwide demonstrations, including a protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The protests focus on alleged irregularities within the NEET medical entrance exam and broader demands for educational reform. The timing of the deepfake circulation coincided with a surge of online content related to these student movements, prompting government officials to warn against the spread of unverified media.

Official Rebuttal and Digital Literacy

Goyal utilized his early morning statement on July 25, 2026, to condemn the irresponsible deployment of AI technology to deceive the citizenry. Writing on social media, he characterized the clip as a malicious attempt to spread misinformation. He called on the public to consult only authenticated sources and expressed confidence in the discernment of the youth. "I have complete faith that India’s aware and tech-savvy citizens... will not fall prey to such misinformation," the Minister remarked, emphasizing that the misuse of AI to skew public perception would not be ignored.

Source: The Hindu — Home