Piyush Goyal deepfake video circulated online, social media links taken down: Govt sources

Many social media links related to an AI-generated deepfake video of Union Minister Piyush Goyal have been taken down, government sources said on Saturday, after the minister alleged that his remarks to the media were "maliciously" altered to spread misinformation.

Goyal said he had lodged a police complaint over the manipulated video, which allegedly portrayed him as making threatening remarks against students participating in protests over the NEET examination issue.

In a post on X, Goyal said the video of his interaction with the media outside Parliament had been "maliciously tampered with using AI" and circulated with the intent to spread misinformation.

"I have lodged a complaint with the police in this regard, and today, on July 25, 2026, at 4:35 AM, an FIR (No. 123/26) has been registered at Chanakyapuri Police Station. Strict legal action will be taken against every individual involved in creating, disseminating, or deliberately promoting this fake video," he said.

He warned that the irresponsible misuse of artificial intelligence to mislead the public would not be tolerated and urged people to rely only on verified and authentic sources.

The PIB fact-check unit on Friday also warned that Pakistani propaganda accounts were circulating an AI-generated deepfake video falsely depicting Goyal making threatening remarks about protesting students.

The manipulated video surfaced against the backdrop of ongoing student protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in medical entrance and competitive examinations.

Authorities have repeatedly cautioned social media users against relying on unverified videos and posts circulating online.