The Congress party launched a blistering attack on the Centre Thursday, accusing the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) of weaponizing the Information Technology Act to suppress political satire. Party social media head Supriya Shrinate revealed that nine AI-generated videos—all featuring prominent “AI-generated” disclaimers—have been scrubbed from social media platforms on government orders.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the AI Impact Summit 2026, where India is positioning itself as a leader in responsible AI governance. Shrinate argued that while the Prime Minister touts AI innovation on a global stage, his administration is using the same technology as a pretext to delete “perfectly legitimate” democratic commentary.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
The “Zero Tolerance” on Satire: Supriya Shrinate’s Charge
According to Shrinate, the takedowns targeted videos that offered satirical takes on sensitive issues, including:
-
The Epstein Files: Mention of the Prime Minister’s name in recent disclosures.
-
The US Trade Deal: Criticism of the 18% tariff framework.
-
Border Disputes: Satire based on General M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir.
-
Corporate Allegations: Undue favors allegedly granted to Gautam Adani.
“These videos very categorically displayed ‘AI-generated’. There was no attempt to mislead,” Shrinate stated. She accused Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw—whom she dubbed the “Reel Minister”—of acting as the main architect of these deletions while simultaneously hosting global tech CEOs like Sam Altman.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
Legal Framework: Sections 69A and 79(3)(b)
The deletion orders primarily cite two heavy-duty provisions of the IT Act:
-
Section 69A: Allows the government to block public access to content in the interest of national security, public order, or foreign relations.
-
Section 79(3)(b): Requires platforms to act as intermediaries and remove “unlawful” content upon receiving actual knowledge of a court order or government directive.
Shrinate challenged the application of these sections to satire, asking, “Are political satires with AI disclaimers deepfakes?” The Congress party contends that the government is conflating malicious misinformation with creative political speech to shield the Prime Minister from criticism.
Privilege Notices & Staff Intimidation
The row has escalated beyond the digital realm. Shrinate confirmed that the party has received a privilege notice from Speaker Om Birla regarding an AI video featuring his likeness. Furthermore, she alleged that police from BJP-ruled states—including Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh—have been used to “intimidate” young staffers (aged 20-22) in the Congress social media team through persistent phone calls and notices.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
Reality Check
MeitY argues that AI-generated content can “disturb public order” even with disclaimers, as the hyper-realistic nature of the videos can trigger emotional responses before a viewer reads the fine print. Still, the use of Section 69A—typically reserved for terrorism or cyber warfare—against political cartoons or satire is a massive legal leap. Therefore, the government’s stance suggests that “AI-generative ability” itself is being treated as a high-risk tool that bypasses traditional free speech protections.
The Loopholes
The government claims it is protecting the public from deepfakes. In fact, the lack of a legal definition for “Political AI Satire” in the current IT Rules creates a massive loophole for arbitrary takedowns. Therefore, as long as a video is “AI-generated,” it can be categorized as a potential “misinformation” threat regardless of the disclaimer. Still, the Congress party’s decision to label their videos so clearly serves as a strategic “compliance loophole,” making it harder for the government to justify the “incitement” charge in a court of law.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
What This Means for You
If you are a content creator or political observer, realize that the “rules of engagement” for 2026 have shifted. First, understand that disclaimers are not immunity; the government can still block your content if they deem it a threat to “public order.” Then, expect social media platforms like Meta and X to be even more aggressive with their automated takedown filters to avoid government fines.
Finally, realize that the Privilege Notice against the Congress indicates that constitutional authorities are now aggressively protecting their “digital likeness.” You should avoid using AI to mimic constitutional heads without explicit parody licenses. Before the end of the AI Summit, follow the Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing on digital censorship to see if a new “Free Speech Framework for AI” is established.
What’s Next
The Congress party is expected to move the High Court against these takedown orders by early next week. Then, the police response to the charges of “staffer intimidation” is expected by Friday evening. Finally, the AI Impact Summit will conclude on Saturday with a “Delhi Declaration” that may formally outline the government’s stance on political AI content.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
End…
