June 26, 2026, (Inside AI) — A short video allegedly showing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann desecrating Sikh religious imagery has ignited a political firestorm, thrusting artificial intelligence into the center of Punjab's electoral battleground. The clip, under 40 seconds, purports to depict a man resembling Mann sprinkling liquor on images of Sikh Gurus. It surfaced on social media, sparking forensic disputes and a wider debate over AI's role in shaping voter perception ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The video's authenticity became a flashpoint. Mann initially labeled it AI-generated, but the Akal Takht declared it "authentic" based on a forensic assessment. Mann then shifted his defense, claiming an actor wore a mask to impersonate him and that the footage was shot in a Canadian hotel room. He cited physical discrepancies to deny his identity.
The controversy highlights how political parties in Punjab are weaponizing AI. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Congress all deploy AI-generated videos featuring fabricated conversations between leaders, often using cloned voices. While such content is labeled as AI-generated, experts warn the distinction is lost on many viewers, blurring the line between satire and deception.
SAD social media handlers detailed their production process. They use real photographs to create digital avatars and voice cloning tools trained on public recordings. A handler said,
"We are using some expensive, hi-tech AI-software and tools to create such videos. First, a character is created using real photos of the person. For instance, Mann's real photo is used to create a real-time character on screen using software. Then a script is finalised and dialogues are lip-synced using another software. It takes two to three hours to produce a near-real video."
Outsourced teams often handle production, accelerating output. In one SAD video, Mann appears to react violently to an Akal Takht statement, followed by a staged conversation with his wife and a fictional directive to police to obtain a fake forensic report. The clip then cuts to real footage of Mann, creating a seamless but misleading narrative.
Congress and AAP also use AI, though they advocate caution. A Congress social media coordinator pointed to tools like Runway and ChatGPT-based video generators for rapid content creation, emphasizing satire over defamation. The coordinator said,
"The line between AI-generated and real content is becoming increasingly thin."
Yet, the Mann video row exposes the dangers. SAD spokesperson Parambans Singh Bunty Romana acknowledged the credibility gap, stating,
"People watch AI videos for entertainment but the seriousness and credibility of real videos cannot be matched. Yes, we are using it as it is a new trend but AI videos always leave a question mark on the authenticity of the content."
In contrast, the BJP in Punjab claims to have avoided AI-generated political content, focusing on "real issues and ground videos." Social media in-charge Ajay Arora said,
"AI is good for entertainment but far away from reality. People are smart enough to differentiate between AI-generated and real."
However, the escalating AI arms race suggests otherwise. Former AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu wrote on X,
"Social media videos, fake reports, allegations, denials have blurred the lines between truth and falsehood. It is very unfortunate that Punjab polity and society have been reduced to its lowest level ever. The 2027 Assembly polls are an opportunity for course correction but what are options before people?"
AAP spokesperson Neel Garg warned against "character assassination," urging constructive use of AI. Yet, as parties weaponize cheap, fast deepfakes, the electorate faces an information crisis where forensic reports themselves become contested political tools.
The Punjab police have taken custody of two individuals in connection with a disputed forensic report, but searches at their Delhi and Haryana addresses found no labs, deepening the mystery. Meanwhile, the Gurgaon police alleged that Punjab officers paid Rs 10 lakh to tailor a forensic report favoring Mann, adding another layer of intrigue.
As the 2027 polls approach, the AI-driven erosion of trust may become the defining challenge for Punjab's democracy, where every video is suspect and truth is a casualty of political warfare.
