Controversy Erupts Over Edited Photo Shared by Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge faces backlash for sharing an edited photo related to a weapons recovery case involving RSS members.
Bengaluru, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : A new controversy has emerged surrounding Karnataka’s Home Minister Priyank Kharge after he shared a photo on social media questioning the involvement of the RSS and its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, in a recent arms recovery case. The image in question is alleged to have been edited using artificial intelligence to misrepresent the facts.
Kharge’s post was aimed at highlighting the potential connection of RSS affiliates to an interstate ammunition smuggling racket, which resulted in the seizure of 44,250 cartridges in Bihar and Haryana. He directly questioned Bhagwat about the role of individuals depicted in the shared image.
However, the fact-checking website Myth Facts has claimed that the photo Kharge used is not authentic. According to their findings, the original image was first posted by a social media user named Abhishek Tiwari and later manipulated with AI technology.
Reports indicate that the original photo does not show all accused individuals in RSS uniforms, raising suspicions about the edited version, which purportedly includes four suspects. Myth Facts noted that the faces in the image exhibit similarities and that some individuals appear to be holding sticks, further suggesting possible tampering.
The original image, shared by Tiwari on March 29, reportedly featured only him, while the other three suspects were added later through AI editing. This manipulated image was then presented as the original by Kharge.
This controversy comes at a time when Kharge has been demanding answers from Bhagwat and the BJP regarding the arms recovery case. He has questioned whether the individuals depicted are indeed RSS volunteers and, if so, what their roles within the organization are. He has also called for a thorough investigation into the alleged smuggling operation.
With allegations of sharing an AI-edited photo now surfacing, the political dispute is likely to intensify. All eyes are on the subsequent actions following the complaint filed with the Bengaluru police.
