Deepfake row | Cong spreading lies; BJP has no intention to end quota: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (April 30) alleged that the Congress was spreading lies that the BJP intends to change the Constitution and end reservations if it returns to power for a third term.

Recently a deepfake video, in which Shah is seen 'saying' that he would remove reservations, went viral. A Congress worker, Reetam Singh, from Guwahati in Assam was arrested on Monday (April 29) for allegedly making and sharing the video.

"Their (Congress) frustration reached to such a level that they have spread fake videos of me and several other BJP leaders. Chief Ministers, state president, and others have also done the work of forwarding this fake video. Today a prominent leader of the Congress party is facing a criminal offence. This action is indicative of their frustration and disappointment. Ever since Rahul Gandhi took charge of the Congress, he has been working to take the level of politics to a new low. I believe that the attempt to get public support by circulating fake videos is condemnable and should never be done by any major party in Indian politics,” Shah told reporters at a press conference in Guwahati on Tuesday. 

'BJP heading towards goal of 400-plus seats'

Shah asserted that the BJP is heading towards its goal of 400-plus Lok Sabha seats with the blessings and support of people.

“The Congress is spreading lies about the saffron party changing the constitution and ending reservations. We do not see voters as minority or majority; the BJP will win 12 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam,” he said.

“The BJP does not believe in reservations on the basis of religion. We are also in favour of implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the country,” the home minister said.

Actual video vs manipulated video

Shah said that in the actual video, he was speaking about removing quota only for Muslims on religious grounds in Telangana. He played both the videos during the press conference to demonstrate what he had actually said and what the manipulated video showed him as saying.

“Giving quota on religious lines is unfair and cannot be allowed. We have already removed it in Karnataka. This was what I said in the video. The fake video twisted it to say the BJP will scrap all reservations,” he told the reporters.