Political Turmoil and Rising Tensions in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh has been witnessing an intense period of unrest, marked by violent protests and deep-seated religious tensions. Thousands of Christians have taken to the streets against the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, demanding its repeal, while indigenous faith believers push for its implementation. In the midst of this volatile atmosphere, a fabricated deepfake video of former US President Donald Trump has surfaced, falsely attributing statements to him accusing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of inciting riots in the state. The spread of such misinformation has only exacerbated the already fragile situation, fueling mistrust and political drama.
The Viral Deepfake: Trump’s Alleged Accusations Against RSS
A manipulated video of Donald Trump has recently gone viral, showing him allegedly blaming the RSS for fueling violence among the Tani tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. The three-minute, 20-second video appears to show Trump claiming that members of the Donyi Polo community have been bribed by the RSS to sow discord among Christian Tani people, using the APFRA Act as a political tool. In the video, he seemingly urges the community to identify those who accepted money and unite against religious exploitation in the state.
The video is being circulated with alarming captions such as, “WARNING: ALARMING NEWS FOR NORTH EAST PEOPLE. Listen to the speech of US President Donald Trump. #TIME BOMB TICKING FOR NORTH EAST INDIA.” The dissemination of such misinformation has heightened tensions in the state, with various political factions reacting strongly to the alleged remarks.
Fact-Check: AI Detection Confirms Deepfake Manipulation
BOOM, a fact-checking organization, conducted an in-depth analysis of the viral video and confirmed it as a deepfake. Upon running a keyword search across credible sources, no authentic records were found of Trump making such statements. Closer examination of the video revealed significant AI-generated anomalies, including:
- Mismatched lip movements and audio discrepancies.
- Multiple abrupt jump cuts, suggesting artificial manipulation.
- Inconsistent voice modulation, typical of deepfake content.
- AI detection tools further validated that the video was artificially generated, reaffirming suspicions that it was designed to provoke unrest.
Impact on Arunachal Pradesh: Livelihoods and Political Fallout
The emergence of this deepfake video has worsened the already strained socio-political fabric of Arunachal Pradesh. The religious conflict stemming from APFRA has divided communities, impacting livelihoods, social harmony, and regional stability. With protests escalating, businesses have been affected, and daily life has been disrupted, pushing the state towards economic setbacks.
The video has also triggered high-voltage political drama. Opposition parties have seized the opportunity to criticize the ruling government for allegedly failing to prevent external forces from interfering in the region’s affairs. Meanwhile, supporters of the indigenous faith movement argue that external propaganda is being used to derail their efforts to preserve their cultural heritage.
Global Concerns: The Threat of Deepfake Misinformation
Beyond Arunachal Pradesh, the deepfake controversy underscores a growing global concern over misinformation and AI-generated propaganda. The Trump deepfake is not an isolated case—similar instances of AI manipulation have been reported worldwide, influencing elections, inciting violence, and creating distrust among communities. As AI technology advances, the risk of deepfake-generated misinformation becoming a tool for political sabotage increases, posing a serious threat to democracies and global stability.
A Disturbing Trend with Dangerous Consequences
The circulation of deepfake videos like the Trump-RSS hoax highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and public awareness to combat misinformation. If left unchecked, such fabrications can create widespread panic, deepen religious and political divides, and destabilize regions already on the brink of unrest. In Arunachal Pradesh, the deepfake has added fuel to an already tense situation, raising concerns about how misinformation can shape public perception and incite violence. As deepfakes become more sophisticated, governments and tech companies must collaborate to identify and neutralize such threats before they cause irreversible damage.
(With inputs from agencies)
