RSS Chief’s Army Comments Debunked: AI-Generated Deepfake Spreads False Claims

A viral video purportedly showing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat calling for the “saffronisation” of the Indian Army has been confirmed as digitally altered, according to an investigation by fact-checking organization BOOM.

The manipulated clip, which has been circulating on social media platforms, falsely depicts Bhagwat demanding the removal of “non-caste Hindus” from military ranks and issuing an ultimatum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Analysis reveals the audio is entirely fabricated using artificial intelligence technology.

The deceptive video was shared on Twitter (X) by the account @InsiderWB with an inflammatory caption claiming Bhagwat had threatened that failure to implement such changes by 2028 would “pave the way for Yogi Adityanath” to replace Modi. This account has previously been identified by fact-checkers for disseminating digitally altered videos of senior Indian defense officials and promoting false, pro-Pakistan narratives.

When subjected to AI deepfake detection tools, the voice in the video received an authenticity score of just 11 out of 100 from Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector, strongly indicating artificial manipulation. Researchers located the original footage, published by CNN-News18 on December 21, 2025, which shows Bhagwat speaking against the same visual backdrop but with entirely different content.

The original speech contained no references to “saffronisation” of the armed forces or any statements critical of Prime Minister Modi, confirming the viral clip was fabricated to create false controversy.

This incident highlights the growing sophistication of AI-generated deepfakes targeting India’s military and political leadership. Such manipulated media poses significant challenges in an era where digital content can be seamlessly altered to mimic authentic speeches and statements from public figures.

The RSS, a Hindu nationalist organization with close ideological ties to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), frequently finds itself at the center of politically charged misinformation campaigns. As one of India’s most influential cultural organizations, statements attributed to its leadership carry particular weight in the country’s political discourse.

Military neutrality remains a foundational principle of the Indian Armed Forces, which have historically maintained distance from political and ideological movements. False claims suggesting attempts to reshape the military along religious or caste lines are particularly sensitive in India’s diverse, multi-faith society.

Digital disinformation targeting civil-military relations has become increasingly common in South Asian geopolitics, with state and non-state actors attempting to exploit social divisions or create false narratives about institutional biases.

Media literacy experts warn that deepfake technology has advanced to a point where detection requires specialized tools, making it increasingly difficult for average citizens to distinguish between authentic and manipulated content. The proliferation of such sophisticated forgeries threatens to undermine public trust in legitimate news sources and authentic statements from public figures.

The incident underscores the critical importance of verification before sharing politically sensitive content, particularly during periods of heightened tension or approaching elections when disinformation campaigns typically intensify.

Indian security analysts have noted that such fabricated content often aims to drive wedges between different arms of the government or to portray civilian leadership as interfering with military affairs – narratives that serve the strategic interests of external actors seeking to sow domestic discord.