Cong defends AI video on PM’s late mother amid political storm

Patna: The Congress on Friday strongly defended its move after an AI-generated video about PM Narendra Modi’s late mother triggered a major political storm, drawing sharp criticism from the NDA and heating up state politics. Party leaders, however, firmly denied any disrespect towards the PM’s mother.

In the AI-generated clip titled “Maa appears in Sahab’s dream”, shared by Bihar Congress, the PM’s late mother is heard scolding her son in a dream for making her stand in a queue to exchange old currency notes after demonetisation. Complaining about posters of her “insult” being circulated, she then rebukes him for trying to “indulge in political ‘nautanki’ again ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.”

“Rajniti ke naam par kitna giroge (How low will you stoop in the name of politics)?” she is heard reprimanding her son in the video, drawing sharp comments from the ruling alliance. However, Congress leaders defended the clip, insisting there was nothing offensive.

“Where is the disrespect shown to his (PM’s) late mother? Show me one word, one gesture, anywhere that you see disrespect. It is the duty of a parent to educate their children. She is only educating her child, and if the child thinks that it is disrespectful towards him, it is his headache, not mine, not yours," senior Congress leader Pawan Khera told the media on Friday.

Alleging that the BJP has tried to turn every matter into an issue to generate fake sympathy, Khera also had a word of caution for the PM. "Mr Modi has to realise he cannot do a ‘touch-me-not’ politics. He is in politics, and he needs to take everything, even a sense of humour of the opposition, properly. In fact, there is no humour in it… Actually, there is naseehat (advice) in this,” Khera added.

State Congress media in-charge Rajesh Rathorre said there is nothing wrong with the video. "In the video, an ideal mother is giving golden advice to her child about many things. So, why the uproar over it, we fail to understand?" Rathorre said, adding that she is only warning him against bringing her into Bihar politics.

Earlier this month, the state observed a shutdown against alleged derogatory remarks made about her during the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga. Although the shutdown evoked a partial response, the issue was widely condemned.