New Delhi:
The Delhi Police on Sunday registered a case over a doctored video circulating on social media platforms showing Union Home Minister Amit Shah advocating the abolition of reservation quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other Backward Classes (OBCs). . The video, which has sparked controversy and accusations of misinformation, has prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to file a complaint seeking action against those responsible for it.
Responding to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) concerns over the authenticity of the video, the Delhi Police on Sunday registered a First Information Report (FIR). The BJP has denounced the video, saying it has been manipulated to distort Mr Shah's original statements made at a political rally.
According to BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya, the video in question was altered to misrepresent Mr. Shah's comments on the issue of reservation quota for Muslims in Telangana.
“Congress is circulating an edited video that is completely fake and has the potential to cause widespread violence. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about removing the unconstitutional reservation given to Muslims on the basis of religion after reducing the share of SCs/STs and OBCs. This fake video was posted by several congressional spokespeople. They should be prepared for legal consequences,” Malviya said on Saturday.
.@INCTelangana distributes an edited video, which is completely fake and has the potential to cause widespread violence.
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about lifting the unconstitutional reservation given to Muslims, on the basis of religion, after reducing the share of SCs/STs and… pic.twitter.com/5plMsEHCe3— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 27, 2024
The controversy surrounding the video escalated when several social media channels, including official accounts linked to the Congress, shared the doctored footage claiming that it revealed the “BJP's agenda to abolish SC/ST reservation quota”. These claims have drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accuse the Congress of spreading false information with the potential to fuel social divisions.
The MHA has attached a detailed report to its complaint, identifying the links and handles responsible for sharing the doctored video of the Home Secretary.
Now that the FIR has been registered, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police Special Cell has started its investigation into the origin of the fabricated video.