‘Can’t Even Fake a Crowd Properly’: Kiren Rijiju Mocks Congress Over AI-Generated Post

Rijiju Targets Congress Over Alleged AI-Generated Images of Ramlila Rally Crowd

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has criticised the Congress over an image circulated by its leaders that allegedly used artificial intelligence to portray a massive gathering at Sunday’s INDIA bloc rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. The rally was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Rijiju took aim at the Congress after Telangana MP Vamsi Gaddam shared the image on social media. Several other Congress leaders and supporters also circulated it, including former MP and Congress Working Committee member Jagdish Thakor.

Sharing the image on X, Rijiju accused the Congress of attempting to create a false impression about the rally’s turnout. “Even the fake AI photo to show that Ramlila ground was full is not done properly by the fake narrative team of Congress Party!” he wrote.

The image soon became the subject of debate on social media, with several users alleging that it was AI-generated. Critics pointed to the depictions of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi on the rally stage, which they said did not match the actual stage at the venue.

BJP questions turnout, Congress releases drone footage
The BJP described the Opposition gathering as a flop, claiming that the turnout fell well short of the Congress’s expectations. Ruling party leaders shared photographs and videos of empty chairs, alleging that around 40 per cent of the ground remained vacant.

Before the event, the Congress had claimed that 10 lakh people would attend the protest.

“The Congress said there will be a crowd of 10 lakh, but 40 per cent of the ground was empty,” BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said on Sunday evening.

Patra also accused the Opposition of using camera angles to exaggerate the gathering, describing the visuals as “trick photography”. He added that such tactics would not make Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister.

The Congress pushed back by sharing drone footage and photographs from the venue, arguing that a large number of people had joined the demonstration.

Rahul Gandhi accuses CEC of vote theft
During his address, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was illegal because of what he called vote theft involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“This theft of votes is no ordinary theft. This is the theft of every voice of India. This is called treason,” Gandhi said.

He claimed that Narendra Modi would not have become Prime Minister and Amit Shah would not have become Home Minister without Kumar’s alleged involvement. Gandhi further warned that the CEC would “go to jail”.

Responding to the allegations, Sambit Patra said questions about the legality of an election should be raised through the proper legal channels.

“You challenge the elections immediately after the election, not like this… Show me the petition you have filed that 2024 election is illegal,” he said.

INDIA bloc intensifies campaign against CEC
The rally was the latest step in the Opposition INDIA bloc’s campaign seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Opposition parties have questioned the functioning of the Election Commission and raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

On Saturday evening, a day before the rally, Opposition leaders had staged a symbolic “impeachment” of the CEC at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The Election Commission and the BJP have dismissed the Opposition’s charges, accusing it of spreading what they describe as a “fake narrative” against the institution.