The Assam Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has released what it described as the original video footage after a viral image involving Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a woman circulated widely on social media.
The CMO said the viral image was allegedly created using artificial intelligence and other digital editing tools. The office released the source footage to show what it said was the actual sequence of events and to counter the claims being circulated online.
CMO Calls Image Completely Fake
The Chief Minister’s Office strongly rejected the authenticity of the viral image, describing it as fabricated and misleading.
The office alleged that the image was deliberately created and circulated with the intention of misleading the public and damaging Sarma’s reputation. It also urged social media users not to become part of what it described as a malicious campaign by sharing unverified material.
However, the authenticity of the footage released by the CMO, as well as the specific claim that the viral image was manipulated using AI, has not been independently verified.
Police Case Registered
The controversy has also led to police action. Assam Police sources said a case has been registered over the alleged creation and circulation of the manipulated image.
The CMO said that individuals suspected of being involved in creating and circulating the material have been identified. It indicated that legal action would be taken against those responsible.
The office also warned that creating or spreading fabricated digital content can have legal consequences, particularly when it is allegedly used to mislead the public or harm an individual’s reputation.
AI Manipulation Raises New Concerns
The incident highlights growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence to create convincing but misleading images and videos.
AI tools can now alter photographs, generate realistic faces and modify existing visual material in ways that can be difficult for ordinary social media users to identify. When such content involves well-known political figures, it can quickly gain attention and spread before its authenticity is properly checked.
The Himanta Sarma controversy comes amid a wider increase in AI-generated and digitally manipulated political content circulating online.
Social Media Users Urged to Verify Content
The Assam CMO has urged people to verify information before sharing it on social media. The office particularly warned against amplifying content that appears inflammatory or is presented without a reliable source.
The warning comes at a time when edited images, AI-generated videos and manipulated audio are increasingly being used to create false narratives involving politicians and public personalities.
Experts have repeatedly stressed that users should examine the original source of an image or video and look for credible reports before accepting viral content as genuine.
Political Figures Increasingly Targeted
Public figures have increasingly become targets of digitally manipulated content. Real photographs and videos can be taken from one context and altered or combined with AI-generated material to create an entirely different impression.
Such content can become particularly problematic during politically sensitive periods, when social media discussions are already highly active.
For political leaders, the rapid spread of manipulated material can also lead to reputational concerns before fact-checks or official clarifications reach the public.
Importance of Checking Original Footage
The Assam CMO’s decision to release the alleged source footage reflects the growing importance of original material in determining whether viral content has been altered.
Comparing a viral image or video with the original recording can help identify changes in context, appearance or content. Independent verification from credible sources can provide another layer of confirmation.
At the same time, users should be cautious about treating claims from any side as automatically established until they are independently verified.
AI Misinformation Becomes a Growing Challenge
The latest controversy involving Himanta Biswa Sarma underlines the broader challenge posed by AI-generated misinformation. As digital editing tools become more sophisticated, distinguishing authentic content from manipulated material is becoming increasingly difficult.
The Assam CMO has maintained that the viral image was fabricated and has released what it described as the original footage to challenge it. With a police case also reportedly registered, the matter could now move into a legal process.
For social media users, the episode serves as another reminder to pause, verify the original source and avoid sharing sensational content simply because it appears authentic or is already going viral.