Fact Check: Viral AI-Generated Video Falsely Shows Owaisi Performing Hanuman Aarti

A deceptive video showing prominent Muslim politician Asaduddin Owaisi performing a Hindu religious ceremony has been confirmed as an AI-generated fake, according to an investigation by Lighthouse Journalism.

The manipulated footage, which has gained significant traction across social media platforms, depicts Owaisi, a sitting Member of Parliament and president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), performing an aarti—a Hindu ritual involving the waving of lamps—before an image of Lord Hanuman at a temple.

Social media accounts sharing the clip falsely claimed it demonstrated “the effect of the PM Modi government,” suggesting that Owaisi had abandoned his Islamic faith to embrace Hindu practices under political pressure.

The fabricated video represents a concerning example of deepfake technology being deployed to create religious and political discord in India, where religious tensions remain a sensitive issue. As the country moves closer to its next general election cycle, such manipulated content poses significant challenges to social cohesion and electoral integrity.

Lighthouse Journalism conducted a comprehensive verification process after spotting the video circulating widely. Their investigation began with basic keyword searches, which yielded no credible news reports of such an incident—the first indicator that the content might be fabricated.

After observing comments on various posts suggesting AI manipulation, the fact-checking team employed multiple artificial intelligence detection tools to analyze key frames from the video. Both HIVE Moderation and undetectable.ai, specialized platforms designed to identify AI-generated content, confirmed with high confidence that the footage had been artificially created.

The tools specifically detected telltale signs of AI manipulation, including unnatural lighting, inconsistent facial features, and other visual artifacts common in synthetic media. These technical anomalies are typically invisible to casual viewers but can be identified through specialized detection software.

This incident highlights the growing sophistication of AI-generated deepfakes in India’s digital ecosystem. Political figures are increasingly targeted with such manipulated content, which can spread rapidly across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp before verification can occur.

Owaisi, known for his outspoken defense of Muslim rights and constitutional values, has frequently been targeted by misinformation campaigns. As the leader of AIMIM and a six-term parliamentarian representing Hyderabad, his political positions often make him a lightning rod for fabricated content designed to damage his credibility among his core supporters.

Digital rights experts have repeatedly warned about the potential for deepfake technology to exacerbate religious polarization in India’s diverse and complex social landscape. With improving AI technology making detection increasingly difficult, social media platforms face mounting pressure to develop more robust safeguards against synthetic media.

The Indian government has recently expressed concern about the proliferation of deepfakes, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology considering new regulatory frameworks to address the threat. However, the rapid evolution of AI capabilities continues to outpace regulatory responses.

Media literacy advocates emphasize the importance of critical thinking when consuming potentially controversial content online, particularly videos showing public figures engaging in unexpected or out-of-character behavior.

Lighthouse Journalism’s investigation serves as a reminder of the essential role fact-checking organizations play in the current information environment, where visual evidence—once considered relatively reliable—can now be manufactured with increasing realism.