A political controversy has erupted over viral social media posts alleging Chinese infiltration into Arunachal Pradesh and claiming that Indian troops were being denied essential supplies. The Indian Army has rejected the claims, stating that the videos were presented out of context and that one of them was a deepfake. Following the Army’s clarification, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress party and accused it of spreading misleading AI-generated content that could damage the reputation of the armed forces. He also demanded that Congress apologise to the country.
The controversy began after posts attributed to Ritu Chaudhary, a Congress spokesperson from Bihar, circulated on social media. One post claimed that Chinese vehicles had entered Indian territory, while another alleged that China had occupied parts of Arunachal Pradesh and that the Indian Army was not receiving essential supplies. The claims prompted questions online and drew a response from the Army, which issued a clarification about the footage being circulated.
What Did the Army Say About the Alleged Chinese Infiltration?
The Indian Army issued an official clarification rejecting the claims made alongside the first video. According to the Army, the footage showed commercial vehicles moving along the authorised border trade route at Nathula Pass in Sikkim. Nathula is a designated route used for border trade between India and China.
The Army said the movement of commercial vehicles along an authorised trade route was being wrongly portrayed as evidence of an intrusion by the Chinese military. It stressed that the footage did not establish the claim that Chinese military vehicles had entered Indian territory.
The clarification sought to distinguish routine commercial movement from military activity. The Army’s position was that the video had been presented with a misleading description, creating an impression that was not supported by the actual footage.
The issue is particularly sensitive because claims of cross-border infiltration can generate public concern about national security. The Army’s statement was intended to address the specific video and correct the interpretation being circulated alongside it.
Army Identifies Second Video as a Deepfake
The second video at the centre of the controversy allegedly featured Lieutenant General Girish Kalia making statements about China occupying parts of Arunachal Pradesh and the Indian Army being denied essential supplies.
The Army described the video as a deepfake and clarified the origin of the original footage. According to its statement, the source material was from a press briefing held in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 27, 2023. The briefing concerned attempts at infiltration across the Line of Control.
The Army said Lieutenant General Kalia had not made the claims attributed to him in the viral video. In particular, the original footage did not contain a statement that China controlled parts of Arunachal Pradesh or that supplies to Indian troops had been withheld.
The clarification indicates that the original footage was presented in a different context from the claims circulating online. The Army said the video had been altered or misrepresented to support allegations that were not made during the original briefing.
The episode has also drawn attention to the use of artificial intelligence and manipulated footage in online political debates. Deepfake videos can make it appear that a person has made a statement they never actually made. When such content concerns military officials or national security, it can create confusion and spread misleading information.
Kiren Rijiju Demands an Apology From Congress
Following the Army’s clarification, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched an attack on Congress. He accused the party of circulating fake AI videos to undermine the reputation of the Indian Army and demanded an apology to the country.
Rijiju argued that spreading misleading content about the armed forces was a serious matter because it could confuse the public and affect perceptions of national security. He also alleged that the party’s actions were helping the agenda of India’s adversaries.
These are allegations made by the Union Minister as part of the political dispute. The Army’s clarification concerned the accuracy and origin of the specific videos, while Rijiju’s comments expanded the issue into a broader political attack on Congress.
The demand for an apology has added to the confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the handling of the viral posts. The controversy now involves questions about the accuracy of online content, political accountability and the use of military-related claims in public debate.
BJP Spokesperson C. R. Kesavan Also Criticises Congress
BJP national spokesperson C. R. Kesavan also responded to the controversy through a social media post. He criticised Congress and referred to the role and reputation of Indian soldiers.
BJP leaders have argued that claims involving the Army and national security should not be shared without proper verification. They have cited the Army’s statement to challenge the allegations made alongside the viral videos.
The BJP has framed the controversy as an issue involving the credibility of information about the armed forces. Congress, meanwhile, has faced demands to explain the posts and the claims associated with them.
NSUI President Vinod Jakhar Responds
Vinod Jakhar, president of the Congress student organisation NSUI, also reacted to the controversy. Jakhar said that even if the video had been technically manipulated, he believed the broader issue raised in it should not be dismissed.
He questioned the central government’s approach to security along the border and compared it with the government’s handling of youth protests in Delhi. Jakhar asked why the government used its full strength to restrict democratic protests in the capital while questions were being raised about security near the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
He also argued that the government should answer questions about China’s activities near the border. His remarks represent the political response from the Congress student wing and do not establish the specific claims made in the viral video.
The Army’s clarification addressed the authenticity and context of the two videos. The broader political debate about border security is a separate issue and needs to be assessed using independently verified information.
Why Verification Matters in National Security Claims
The controversy highlights the risks associated with sharing videos without checking their source, date and context. Old footage can be recirculated with new captions, while edited clips and deepfakes can falsely attribute statements to military officers or public officials.
In this case, the Army identified one video as footage of commercial vehicles using the authorised Nathula border trade route. It identified the other as a manipulated version of a 2023 press briefing in Kupwara. According to the Army, neither video supported the claims being circulated alongside it.
For viewers, checking the original source and seeking confirmation from official statements can help distinguish genuine footage from misleading material. This is especially important when a claim concerns military movements, territorial control or the supply of essential resources to troops.
AI-generated or manipulated content can look convincing, but the appearance of authenticity does not establish that a video is genuine. The date, location, original recording and context all matter when assessing such material.
Political Row Continues After Army’s Clarification
The Army’s statement has intensified the political exchange between the BJP and Congress. Kiren Rijiju has demanded an apology from Congress, while NSUI president Vinod Jakhar has raised questions about the government’s handling of border security.
The Army has rejected the two specific viral claims: the first video showed commercial vehicles on an authorised border trade route at Nathula, while the second was described as a deepfake using footage from a 2023 briefing in Kupwara.
The political debate continues, but the Army’s clarification provides the official position on the authenticity and context of the videos. The episode serves as a reminder that claims involving the armed forces and national security should be checked carefully before being shared as established facts.
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