Deepfake Video Sparks Political Unrest in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is experiencing intense unrest as violent protests and religious tensions escalate. Thousands of Christians are demanding the repeal of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, while indigenous faith groups push for its enforcement. Amid this volatile situation, a deepfake video of former US President Donald Trump has surfaced, falsely attributing remarks to him that accuse the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of inciting riots. This misinformation has intensified political discord and deepened public mistrust.

The fabricated video, which has gone viral, allegedly shows Trump blaming the RSS for manipulating the Tani tribes and bribing members of the Donyi Polo community to create division. The three-minute, 20-second clip urges people to expose those involved and unite against religious exploitation. Circulated widely with captions like "TIME BOMB TICKING FOR NORTH EAST INDIA," the video has fueled social tensions and provoked strong reactions from various political factions.

Fact-checking organization BOOM conducted an analysis and confirmed the video as an AI-generated deepfake. Their investigation found no credible records of Trump making such statements. Further scrutiny revealed mismatched lip movements, audio inconsistencies, abrupt jump cuts, and unnatural voice modulation—hallmarks of AI manipulation. Detection tools reinforced that the video was artificially created to inflame unrest.

The misinformation has worsened the already fragile socio-political landscape of Arunachal Pradesh. The ongoing conflict over APFRA has severely impacted livelihoods, disrupted businesses, and created economic setbacks. With protests intensifying, the state faces a deepening divide between religious communities, complicating efforts to restore peace and stability.

Politically, the video has triggered accusations and counterclaims. Opposition leaders blame the government for failing to prevent external interference, while indigenous faith groups argue that false propaganda is being used to undermine their cultural heritage. This deepfake-fueled controversy has further polarized political discourse, leading to heightened public anxiety.

Beyond Arunachal Pradesh, this case highlights the global threat of deepfake technology. AI-generated misinformation has been used worldwide to manipulate elections, incite violence, and erode public trust. As deepfake technology advances, the potential for such content to disrupt democratic processes and create geopolitical instability grows significantly.

The spread of deepfakes like the Trump-RSS hoax underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations, AI detection mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns. If left unchecked, fabricated videos can escalate conflicts, distort perceptions, and destabilize societies. Governments, tech companies, and media organizations must collaborate to combat this evolving threat before it leads to irreversible consequences.