#FactCheck - AI-Generated Video of Monkey Falsely Linked to Hanuman Devotion
A video is being widely shared on social media showing a monkey, with users claiming that the animal is immersed in devotion to Lord Hanuman. The clip is being circulated with assertions that the monkey was seen participating in Hanuman Aarti. Cyber Peace Foundation’s research found that the viral claim is fake. Our investigation revealed that the video is not real and has been generated using artificial intelligence tools.
Claim
On January 6, 2026, Facebook users shared the viral video claiming, “A monkey was seen immersed in devotion during Hanuman Aarti.”
- Post link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1261813845766976
- Archived link: https://archive.ph/anid5
Screenshots of the post can be seen below.
FactCheck:
When we closely examined the viral video, we noticed several visual inconsistencies. These anomalies raised suspicion that the video might be AI-generated. To verify this, we scanned the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. According to the results, the video was found to be 97 percent AI-generated.
Further, we analysed the video using another AI detection tool, Sightengine. The tool’s assessment indicated that the viral video is 98 percent AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our investigation confirms that the viral video claiming to show a monkey immersed in devotion to Lord Hanuman is AI-generated and not real. The claim circulating on social media is false and misleading.
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Executive Summary
As India concluded its 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026, with grandeur and patriotic enthusiasm along the iconic Kartavya Path, a video began circulating on social media claiming to show Indian security personnel failing to perform motorcycle stunts during the ceremonial parade. The short clip allegedly depicts soldiers attempting high-risk, synchronised motorcycle manoeuvres, only to lose balance and fall off their bikes. The visuals were widely shared online with mocking captions, suggesting incompetence during a nationally televised event. However, an research by the CyberPeace found that the video is not authentic and was digitally generated using artificial intelligence.
Claim
A Pakistan-based X user, Sadaf Baloch (@sadafzbaloch), shared the video on January 27, claiming it showed Indian security personnel failing to execute motorcycle stunts during the Republic Day parade held on January 26, 2026. While sharing the clip, the user wrote:“Every time the Indian Army tries a tactical stunt, it looks less like combat training and more like a low-budget circus trailer filmed in one take.”The post was widely circulated with similar narratives questioning the professionalism of Indian forces.
Here is the link and archive link to the post, along with a screenshot.
To verify the authenticity of the viral video, the Desk conducted a detailed frame-by-frame analysis. During the examination, a watermark linked to ‘Sora’—an AI text-to-video generation model was detected at the 00:05 timestamp. The presence of this watermark strongly indicated that the video was artificially generated and not recorded during a real-world event.
Fact Check:
Further visual scrutiny revealed several inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated content. The background appeared unnatural and lacked realistic depth, while the movements and reactions of the security personnel looked mechanically exaggerated and inconsistent with real physics. Facial expressions and body motions during the alleged falls also appeared unrealistic. To strengthen the verification, the Desk analysed the clip using Sightengine, an AI-detection tool. The results showed a 98 per cent probability that the video contained AI-generated or deepfake elements.
Below is a screenshot of the result.
As part of the research , the Desk also conducted a customised keyword search and reviewed official coverage of the Republic Day parade. A full-length video broadcast by DD News on its official YouTube channel was examined. The footage showed joint CRPF and SSB motorcycle teams performing traditional daredevil stunts without any mishap. No incident resembling the viral claim was found in the official broadcast or in any credible media reports.
Here is the video link and a screenshot.
Conclusion
The CyberPeace research confirms that the viral video purportedly showing Indian security personnel failing to perform motorcycle stunts during the 77th Republic Day parade is AI-generated. The clip has been falsely circulated online as genuine content with the intent to mislead viewers and spread misinformation.
Executive Summary
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticizing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and asking people not to watch his films. Users sharing the clip claim that these statements are recent. CyberPeace’s research has found the claim to be misleading. research revealed that the video is from 2015, long before Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. At that time, he was serving as a Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur.
Claim
On January 13, 2026, a Facebook user shared the video with the caption: "A clear message from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Param Pujya Mahant Yogi Adityanath, urging people not to watch Shah Rukh Khan’s movie. Share this message widely, send it to all groups you are part of, and inform the youth in your family."
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, keyframes from the viral video were extracted and reverse-searched using Google Lens. The same video was found in a Facebook post dated March 28, 2022, where it was shared with the caption: "Baba Ji’s message to not watch Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’ movie."
Further research traced the video to Aaj Tak’s website, which reported on November 4, 2015, that then-BJP MP Yogi Adityanath criticized Shah Rukh Khan, comparing his language to that of terrorist Hafiz Saeed, stating that there was no difference in their statements.
A Live Hindustan report from the same date confirmed that Yogi Adityanath had strongly reacted to Shah Rukh Khan’s comments on rising intolerance in India and Hafiz Saeed’s invitation for him to stay in Pakistan. The reports make it clear that Yogi Adityanath criticized Shah Rukh Khan in 2015 by highlighting the similarity between his statements and those of Hafiz Saeed. At the same time, Shah Rukh Khan had highlighted growing intolerance in the country, citing incidents where filmmakers, scientists, and authors were returning awards, describing it as a sign of “deep intolerance” in India.
Conclusion:
Our research found that the statement attributed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath circulating on social media is not recent. The video dates back to 2015, a time when Yogi Adityanath was not yet the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Executive Summary
A digitally manipulated image of World Bank President Ajay Banga has been circulating on social media, falsely portraying him as holding a Khalistani flag. The image was shared by a Pakistan-based X (formerly Twitter) user, who also incorrectly identified Banga as the President of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), thereby fuelling misleading speculation that he supports the Khalistani movement against India.
The Claim
On February 5, an X user with the handle @syedAnas0101010 posted an image allegedly showing Ajay Banga holding a Khalistani flag. The user misidentified him as the IMF President and captioned the post, “IMF president sending signals to INDIA.” The post quickly gained traction, amplifying false narratives and political speculation. Here is the link and archive link to the post, along with a screenshot:
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the image, the CyberPeace Fact Check Desk conducted a detailed research . The image was first subjected to a reverse image search using Google Lens, which led to a Reuters news report published on June 13, 2023. The original photograph, captured by Reuters photojournalist Jonathan Ernst, showed Ajay Banga arriving at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., on June 2, 2023, marking his first day in office. In the authentic image, Banga is seen holding a coffee cup, not a flag.
Further analysis confirmed that the viral image had been digitally altered to replace the coffee cup with a Khalistani flag, thereby misrepresenting the context and intent of the original photograph. Here is the link to the report, along with a screenshot.
To strengthen the findings, the altered image was also analysed using the Hive Moderation AI detection tool. The tool’s assessment indicated a high likelihood that the image contained AI-generated or manipulated elements, reinforcing the conclusion that the image was not genuine. Below is a screenshot of the result.
Conclusion
The viral image claiming to show World Bank President Ajay Banga holding a Khalistani flag is fake. The photograph was digitally manipulated to spread misinformation and provoke political speculation. In reality, the original Reuters image from June 2023 shows Banga holding a coffee cup during his arrival at the World Bank headquarters. The claim that he supports the Khalistani movement is false and misleading.
