On Sunday, the Delhi Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation concerning an alleged fabricated video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The video allegedly shows him endorsing the elimination of reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Police said the case has been registered under Sections 153, 153A, 465, 469, 171G of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 66C of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

In a written complaint, the Ministry of Home Affairs indicated that it had identified certain manipulated videos circulated by users on Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, it provided a report containing information on the links and social media accounts through which these videos were disseminated.

The viral video shows Shah saying, “If the BJP government is formed, we will scrap the unconstitutional Muslim reservation. The SC, ST, and OBC communities of Telangana deserve this opportunity and they will be awarded the same by ending the Muslim reservation.”

As per the FIR, the Home Ministry’s complaint said, “The video seems to be doctored, spreading misleading information with the intention of creating disharmony among communities which is likely to affect public tranquillity and public order issues. It is requested to kindly take necessary legal action as per the provisions of law.”

The complaint was filed by Sinku Sharan Singh, DC at the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre.

The ministry also attached details of links and handles that were used to share Shah’s doctored video.

The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) of the Delhi Police Special Cell started the investigation after the case was registered.  

The BJP has condemned the video, claiming that it distorts Shah's original statements made during a political rally. The party asserted that the original footage featured Shah discussing the elimination of what he referred to as the "unconstitutional" 4 percent reservation for Muslims in Telangana.

The video gained widespread attention as it circulated on various social media platforms, with accounts affiliated with the Congress among those sharing the manipulated footage. These accounts claimed that the video revealed the BJP's alleged intention to eliminate reservation quotas for SC/ST communities.

BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya said that the video in question was “manipulated” to misrepresent Shah’s stance on reservation quotas for Muslims in Telangana. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has attached a detailed report to its complaint, identifying the sources and accounts responsible for disseminating the manipulated video.

Image source: PTI