Uttar Pradesh’s political arena heated up on April 9 when an FIR was lodged against Samajwadi Party leader IP Singh at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station. The trigger: a provocative AI video shared on X portraying CM Yogi Adityanath as the notorious ‘Rahman Dacoit’ grooving to music, captioned by Singh as the ‘dacoit devouring PDA reservations over nine years.’
Complainant Dharm Singh alleged in his detailed submission that the post was a calculated move to defame the government, stir caste-based animosity, and shatter social peace. He emphasized the emotional injury inflicted on countless citizens, warning of brewing unrest and hostility. ‘Such baseless propaganda using manipulated images must be curbed,’ Dharm Singh urged, demanding stringent action.
Police responded by filing charges under relevant IT Act provisions and BNS sections, signaling zero tolerance for digital defamation. The video’s reference to obscure media snippets only amplified its inflammatory nature.
Contextually, this comes on the heels of tit-for-tat poster wars in Lucknow, where Yogi was hailed a powerhouse and Akhilesh branded a dacoit—prompting SP loyalists to rip them apart in protest. These clashes reveal deepening rifts between BJP and SP cadres.
As the probe unfolds, observers predict it could ripple through election strategies, with social media emerging as a battleground. Critics argue for balanced regulation to protect democracy, while supporters of the FIR hail it as a stand against fake news. IP Singh’s silence adds intrigue, with party insiders hinting at a robust defense ahead.
