A purported video of Home Minister Amit Shah was doing rounds on social media in which it was claimed that “BJP would end the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC if voted to power.” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the arrest of Reetam Singh, the “war room coordinator” for Assam Congress, in connection with a fake video involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on X, “Assam police have arrested an individual named Sri Reetam Singh in connection with the fake video involving Honorable Home Minister Sri @AmitShah.”
Assam police have arrested an individual named Sri Reetom Singh in connection with the fake video involving Honorable Home Minister Sri @AmitShah
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 29, 2024
Singh was apprehended following allegations of disseminating a doctored video online, falsely attributing statements to Minister Shah regarding reservation policies.
There are many complaints against Reetam Singh of posting abusive and misleading contents. pic.twitter.com/l4ws8IRbpP
— Voice of Assam (@VoiceOfAxom) April 28, 2024
Reetam Singh, has been a vocal critic of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders. Holding the position of the War Room Coordinator for Assam Congress, Singh has utilised various online platforms to mobilize opposition against the BJP government, often resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and divisive narratives.
The incident unfolded when Singh posted a video on social media, claiming that if the BJP were to come to power, it would abolish reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). However, the original footage showed Home Minister Amit Shah addressing the issue of reservations for Muslims, stating the BJP’s stance against what he deemed unconstitutional.
Assam Police acted swiftly after receiving a complaint and filing a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. “Following a complaint regarding the circulation of a distorted and motivated Tweet involving the Union Home Minister, Assam Police registered a case under Panbazar PS case no. 93/24, citing sections 153A/171G/505(1)(b) of the IPC along with section 66F of the IT Act. During the investigation, Reetam Singh (31 years old), son of Balwant Singh and residing at Flat no: 3B, Prokash Enclave, House number 9, Harbala Path, Ulubari, was arrested on April 29, 2024. Two mobile phones and one personal laptop were seized from his possession. Further investigation into the matter is underway,” stated Assam Police.
Subsequently, Singh was taken into custody, and electronic devices, including two mobile phones and a laptop, were seized for further investigation.
Singh’s arrest comes amidst his history of provocative and derogatory posts against the BJP and its leaders. His social media activity reveals a pattern of incitement and divisive rhetoric aimed at instigating anti-BJP sentiments among the public. Moreover, Singh’s advocacy for targeted measures, such as 50 per cent reservation for Brahmins in menial jobs and linking tax benefits for religious institutions to the representation of Dalits, underscores his controversial stance on caste dynamics.
Furthermore, Singh’s involvement in previous political protests, including the anti-CAA demonstrations, raises concerns about his role in orchestrating agitations for partisan interests. His strategies, such as using women as a shield during protests and advocating for flash mob tactics akin to those in Hong Kong, highlight his propensity for incendiary activism.
BJP’s social media head, Amit Malviya, took to social platforms to disseminate both the genuine and counterfeit videos, cautioning the Telangana Congress against propagating false content.
.@INCTelangana is spreading an edited video, which is completely fake and has the potential to cause large scale violence.
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about removing the unconstitutional reservation given to Muslims, on the basis of religion, after reducing share of SCs/STs and… pic.twitter.com/5plMsEHCe3— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 27, 2024
In a related development, Telangana Chief Minister and Congress leader Revanth Reddy has been summoned by Delhi Police in connection with the case. The summoning of a prominent political figure underscores the gravity of the situation and the broader implications of fake news dissemination.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing concerns over the spread of fake videos, cautioned the public to remain vigilant and report instances of misinformation to authorities. He highlighted the nefarious use of artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate videos and distort the statements of political leaders, urging citizens to exercise caution in consuming online content.
