'Apologise to nation': Rijiju slams Cong after Army debunks Chinese intrusion claims

Army debunks fake AI video on China, Rijiju demands Congress apology NEW DELHI: Bhartiya Janata Party on Tuesday hit out at the Congress for circulating an AI-generated video falsely attributing claims about Chinese control of areas in Arunachal Pradesh to an Indian Army officer, escalating the political face-off over the clip.Leading the BJP's counterattack, Union minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of sharing the fabricated video featuring Lieutenant General Girish Kalia and demanded an apology for allegedly tarnishing the Army's image.In a post on X, Rijiju demanded an apology from the opposition party, writing, "Congress Party must apologize to the nation for spreading fake AI video to tarnish the image of Indian Army." "This is a treacherous act and is on par with the vile deeds of our enemies. The Congress Party is running a despicable campaign on behalf of India's enemies," the Union minister added.The row erupted after Congress shared a post on Monday alleging that China had captured the three areas in Arunachal Pradesh.Congress leader Ritu Choudhary on X wrote: "Shameful! Lieutenant General Girish Kalia (GOC, Spear Corps) says that China has captured Asafila, Longju, and Taksing circles in Arunachal Pradesh. Despite demands for logistics (supplies), there are reports that the army is being deployed against 'Gen Z' instead of China," Choudhary wrote. The Indian Army's fact-check unit also debunked the viral video, saying it had been digitally altered and contained fabricated remarks attributed to the officer.In a post on X, the Army said: "A digitally altered video is being circulated with fabricated remarks attributed to Lt Gen Girish Kalia, claiming that China has taken control of Asaphila, Longjou and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh and that the Indian Army has been denied essential supplies. The misleading video attempts to portray fabricated statements as a leaked admission by a senior Indian Army officer. The video uses Synthetic Generated Information to falsely attribute remarks to Lt Gen Girish Kalia. The original footage relates to a press briefing delivered by then GOC 28 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Girish Kalia, in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir, on 27 October 2023. He addressed infiltration attempts across the Line of Control, reporting 10 foiled attempts, the elimination of 27 terrorists and the recovery of warlike stores and narcotics. He made no such statements about Chinese control over Arunachal Pradesh or denial of supplies to the Indian Army..." The Army clarified that the original footage was from a press briefing held in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 27, 2023, when then Major General Girish Kalia spoke about infiltration attempts across the Line of Control. According to the Army, he reported 10 foiled infiltration attempts, the elimination of 27 terrorists and the recovery of weapons and narcotics.The Army said the officer had made no statements about Chinese control over areas in Arunachal Pradesh or the denial of supplies to Indian troops. Abhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.