#FactCheck - Viral Video Falsely Claims RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Called for ‘Saffronisation’ of Indian Army

Team CyberPeace

CyberPeace

PUBLISHED ON

Jan 13, 2026

A video purportedly showing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat making remarks about the “saffronisation” of the Indian Army has been widely circulated on social media. The clip claims that Bhagwat called for the removal of non-Hindus from the armed forces and linked the issue to future political leadership changes in the country.

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Claim

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However, a verification by the Cyber Peace Foundation has established that the video is misleading and has been digitally manipulated.

In the video, Bhagwat is allegedly heard saying that unless more than 50 percent of non-Hindus are removed from the Indian Army by 2028, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be replaced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The clip further attributes another statement to him, suggesting that he would resign if the Prime Minister were to demand Nitish Kumar’s resignation.

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By the time of publication, the video had been viewed over 7,000 times.( lINK, ARCHIVE Link, Screenshot

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Fact Check:

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The reverse image search also directed the Desk to a video uploaded on CNN-News18’s official YouTube channel on December 21, 2025. The footage was found to be a longer version of the viral clip and was recorded at the RSS centenary event held in Kolkata on the same date. A comparison of both videos confirmed that the background visuals, stage setup and camera angles were identical.

However, a careful review of the original CNN-News18 video revealed that Mohan Bhagwat did not make any of the statements attributed to him in the viral clip.

In his original address, Bhagwat spoke about unity and referred to concerns over increasing atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. He made no reference to the Indian Army, nor did he comment on its composition or alleged saffronisation. Here is the link to the original video, along with a screenshot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnsAUGfBQBk&t=1s

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In the next phase of the investigation, the audio track from the viral video was extracted and analysed using the AI audio detection tool Aurigin. The tool’s assessment indicated that the voice heard in the clip was artificially generated, confirming that the audio did not originate from the original speech.

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Conclusion

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The claim that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called for the saffronisation of the Indian Army is false. PTI Fact Check found that the viral video was digitally manipulated, using genuine footage from an RSS centenary event but pairing it with an AI-generated audio track. The altered video was shared online to mislead viewers by falsely attributing statements Bhagwat never made.

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PUBLISHED ON

Jan 13, 2026

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Executive Summary:

The rise in cybercrime targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly students and their families, has reached alarming levels. Impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as Law Enforcement Officers, have become increasingly sophisticated, exploiting fear, urgency, and social stigma. This report delves into recent incidents of ransom scams involving fake CBI officers, highlighting the execution methods, psychological impact on victims, and preventive measures. The goal is to raise public awareness and equip individuals with the knowledge needed to protect themselves from such fraudulent activities.

Introduction:

Cybercriminals are evolving their tactics, with impersonation and social engineering at the forefront. Scams involving fake law enforcement officers have become rampant, preying on the fear of legal repercussions and the desire to protect loved ones. This report examines incidents where scammers impersonated CBI officers to extort money from families of students, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness, verification, and preventive measures.

Case Study:

This case study explains how the scammers impersonate themselves for the money targeting students' families.

Targets receive calls from scammers posing as CBI officers. Mostly the families of students are targeted by the fraudsters using sophisticated impersonation and emotional manipulation tactics. In our case study, the targets received calls from unknown international numbers, falsely claiming that the students, along with their friends, were involved in a fabricated rape case. The parents get calls during school or college hours, a time when it is particularly difficult and chaotic for parents to reach their children, adding to the panic and sense of urgency. The scammers manipulate the parents by stating that, due to the students' clean records, they are not officially arrested but would face severe legal consequences unless a sum of money is paid immediately.

Although in these specific cases, the parents did not pay the money, many parents in our country fall victim to such scams, paying large sums out of fear and desperation to protect their children’s futures. The fear of legal repercussions, social stigma, and the potential damage to the students' reputations, the scammers used high-pressure tactics to force compliance.

These incidents may result in significant financial losses, emotional trauma, and a profound loss of trust in communication channels and authorities. This underscores the urgent need for awareness, verification of authority, and prompt reporting of such scams to prevent further victimisation

Modus Operandi:

Caller ID Spoofing: The scammer used a unknown number and spoofing techniques to mimic a legitimate law enforcement authority.
Fear Induction: The fraudster played on the family's fear of social stigma, manipulating them into compliance through emotional blackmail.

Analysis:

Our research found that the unknown international numbers used in these scams are not real but are puppet numbers often used for prank calls and fraudulent activities. This incident also raises concerns about data breaches, as the scammers accurately recited students' details, including names and their parents' information, adding a layer of credibility and increasing the pressure on the victims. These incidents result in significant financial losses, emotional trauma, and a profound loss of trust in communication channels and authorities.

Impact on Victims:

Financial and Psychological Losses: The family may face substantial financial losses, coupled with emotional and psychological distress.
Loss of Trust in Authorities: Such scams undermine trust in official communication and law enforcement channels.
Exploitation of Fear and Urgency: Scammers prey on emotions such as fear, urgency, and social stigma to manipulate victims.
Sophisticated Impersonation Techniques: Using caller ID spoofing, Virtual/Temporary numbers and impersonation of Law Enforcement Officers adds credibility to the scam.
Lack of Verification: Victims often do not verify the caller's identity, leading to successful scams.
Significant Psychological Impact: Beyond financial losses, these scams cause lasting emotional trauma and distrust in institutions.

Recommendations:

Cross-Verification: Always cross-verify with official sources before acting on such claims. Always contact official numbers listed on trusted Government websites to verify any claims made by callers posing as law enforcement.
Promote Awareness: Educational institutions should conduct regular awareness programs to help students and families recognize and respond to scams.
Encourage Prompt Reporting: Reporting such incidents to authorities can help track scammers and prevent future cases. Encourage victims to report incidents promptly to local authorities and cybercrime units.
Enhance Public Awareness: Continuous public awareness campaigns are essential to educate people about the risks and signs of impersonation scams.
Educational Outreach: Schools and colleges should include Cybersecurity awareness as part of their curriculum, focusing on identifying and responding to scams.
Parental Guidance and Support: Parents should be encouraged to discuss online safety and scam tactics with their children regularly, fostering a vigilant mindset.

Conclusion:

The rise of impersonation scams targeting students and their families is a growing concern that demands immediate attention. By raising awareness, encouraging verification of claims, and promoting proactive reporting, we can protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these manipulative and harmful tactics. It is high time for the authorities, educational institutions, and the public to collaborate in combating these scams and safeguarding our communities. Strengthening data protection measures and enhancing public education on the importance of verifying claims can significantly reduce the impact of these fraudulent schemes and prevent further victimisation.

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MeitY’s Efforts in Combatting Deepfakes

December 21, 2024

Recognizing As the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY) continues to invite proposals from academicians, institutions, and industry experts to develop frameworks and tools for AI-related issues through the IndiaAI Mission, it has also funded two AI projects that will deal with matters related to deepfakes as per a status report submitted on 21st November 2024. The Delhi court also ordered the nomination of the members of a nine-member Committee constituted by the MeitY on 20th November 2024 (to address deepfake issues) and asked for a report within three months.‍

Funded AI projects :

The two projects funded by MeitY are:

Fake Speech Detection Using Deep Learning Framework- The project was initiated in December 2021 and focuses on detecting fake speech by creating a web interface for detection software this also includes investing in creating a speech verification software platform that is specifically designed for testing fake speech detection systems. It is set to end in December 2024.
Design and Development of Software for Detecting Deepfake Videos and Images- This project was funded by MeitY from January 2022 to March 2024. It also involved the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata and Hyderabad as they have developed a prototype tool capable of detecting deepfakes. Named FakeCheck, it is designed as a desktop application and a web portal aiming to detect deepfakes without the use of the internet. Reports suggest that it is currently undergoing the testing phase and awaiting feedback.

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Apart from these projects, MeitY has released their expression of interest for proposals in four other areas which include:

Tools that detect AI-generated content along with traceable markers,
Tools that develop an ethical AI framework for AI systems to be transparent and respect human values,
An AI risk management and assessment tool that analyses threats and precarious situations of AI-specific risks in public AI use cases and;
Tools that can assess the resilience of AI in stressful situations such as cyberattacks, national disasters, operational failures, etc.

CyberPeace Outlook

Deepfakes pose significant challenges to critical sectors in India, such as healthcare and education, where manipulated content can lead to crimes like digital impersonation, misinformation, and fraud. The rapid advancement of AI, with developments (regarding regulation) that can’t keep pace, continues to fuel such threats. Recognising these risks, MeitY’s IndiaAI mission, promoting investments and encouraging educational institutions to undertake AI projects that strengthen the country's digital infrastructure comes in as a guiding light. A part of the mission focuses on developing indigenous solutions, including tools for assessment and regulation, to address AI-related threats effectively. While India is making strides in this direction, the global AI landscape is evolving rapidly, with many nations advancing regulations to mitigate AI-driven challenges. Consistent steps, including inviting proposals and funding projects provide the much-needed impetus for the mission to be realized.

References

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