New Delhi: The political storm over an alleged “fake video” involving AAP leader Atishi escalated on Wednesday after a Jalandhar court ordered a stay on the circulation of the video tweeted by BJP leader Kapil Mishra.
Addressing a press conference, Saurabh Bharadwaj said the court accepted a forensic science laboratory (FSL) report which clearly established that the controversial word “Guru” was never uttered in the audio of the video shared on social media.
Forensic Evidence Accepted by Court
Bharadwaj stated that the FSL conducted a scientific auditory and spectrographic examination, along with metadata analysis of the video file uploaded by Kapil Mishra.
“The forensic report conclusively proves that the word ‘Guru’ was not spoken in the audio extracted from the file,” he said, quoting the court-accepted findings.
Court Flags Communal Language
More significantly, Bharadwaj claimed the court observed that the language and narrative used by Kapil Mishra and other BJP leaders had the potential to incite communal violence, particularly between Hindus and Sikhs.
“The court has acknowledged that such language can provoke communal unrest, especially in a sensitive border state like Punjab,” Bharadwaj said, alleging that the video was used to deliberately inflame religious sentiments.
AAP Demands Immediate Action
Following the court order, AAP demanded:
- Immediate removal of Kapil Mishra from the Council of Ministers
- Action against BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa
- A public apology at the Golden Temple for allegedly spreading misinformation
Bharadwaj also attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of remaining silent despite what he described as an attempt to disturb internal security.
Social Media Platforms Directed
The Jalandhar court has further directed all social media platforms—including X, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and Meta-owned platforms—to:
- Immediately remove the disputed video
- Preserve data and user information of those who shared it
This, Bharadwaj said, would ensure accountability and enable prosecution for attempts to spread communal hatred.
Political Context
AAP linked the controversy to past communal violence, alleging that similar tactics were used during the 2020 Delhi riots. Bharadwaj warned that such narratives ultimately harm ordinary citizens, not political leaders.
“This is not about politics anymore. A court has confirmed the truth. Continuing to spread such content is an open attempt at communal provocation,” he said.
“The Jalandhar court has accepted a forensic report that clearly proves the word ‘Guru’ was never spoken in the video tweeted by Kapil Mishra. The court has also flagged the language used as capable of inciting communal violence. After this order, Kapil Mishra has no moral or constitutional right to remain a minister.”
— Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP
What Lies Ahead
With the court order now in place and forensic findings on record, the controversy has shifted from political accusation to legal accountability, potentially opening the door for further action against those accused of circulating misleading and inflammatory content.
