The clipped Amit Shah video allegedly makes the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (MHA-CCC) issue a notice to social media platform X. In return, X has issued notices to Congress leaders for sharing misinformation regarding HM Amit Shah’s speech in the Rajya Sabha.
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ANALYSIS: MisleadingFACT: A short video clip of Home Minister Amit Shah is being circulated on social media, portraying him as showing disrespect towards Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during his speech in Parliament. In reality, the video has been deliberately cropped (1/3) pic.twitter.com/E9jUV19aYO
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) December 17, 2024
The X notice states that the shared content violated Indian laws, prompting X to issue warnings to Congress leaders and initiate content removal. It seems the BJP is finally waking up to the damage ICN can wreck using social media narratives. Thus, this notice marks a significant shift in the digital battleground of Indian politics. Let’s explore the questions on misinformation, accountability, and the ethics of political discourse.
X Issues Notice To Congress On Amit Shah Video
BIG BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Congress leaders receive notice from X over sharing small clips from Amit Shah's Rajya Sabha speech.
X's communication referenced a notice from the home ministry's Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
Amit Shah has said BJP will explore legal options against… pic.twitter.com/k5iQhu07nQ
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) December 18, 2024
The notice from X comes as a response to the MHA’s complaint. The notice states that a viral video clip of HM Amit Shah’s speech was deliberately misrepresented. Why? To apply a familiar narrative and present his comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The video, shared by several Congress leaders, showed HM Shah’s partial statement: “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have reached heaven.”
The Amit Shah clip on Babasaheb Ambedkar that’s gone viral
VERSUS
Longer version of what was said‘You chant Ambedkar Ambedkar Ambedkar all day.
If you chanted God’s name so often, you’d have gone to heaven for सात जन्म
Good, we’re happy about that. Chant it a 100 times more’ pic.twitter.com/FqlUZwfLCp— Padmaja Joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) December 18, 2024
However, the full context of Shah’s speech reveals that HM Amit Shah used these words to showcase how Congress uses Dr. Ambedkar as a convenient political tool.
In the full speech, HM Amit Shah pointed out that Congress leaders should invoke Ambedkar’s name a hundred times more. Why? Because by doing so they may atone for their party’s “sins” against the leader of India’s Constitution.
#Headlines: Opposition stages massive protest, demanding home minister Amit Shah's resignation
Congress claims notice from social media platform X
Mirror Now unearths gross lapses in Mumbai boat accident
Catch top news stories of 12 PM with @shwetaasinghtn pic.twitter.com/ilTrHPWo9N
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) December 19, 2024
Allegedly, X stated in its communication to Congress leaders that while it supports free speech their content violates Indian law. And so the platform’s move aligns with the Information Technology Rules and BNS Guidelines, which aim to curb the spread of misleading or incomplete information.
Congress Under Fire: Legal and Ethical Implications
The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Shri @kharge has submitted a privilege notice against the Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his insulting remarks on Dr. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2024.
Here is the copy 👇… pic.twitter.com/qWVAgiZzHL
— Mumbai Congress (@INCMumbai) December 19, 2024
Congress and its toolkit are known for circulating clipped content. The last time a CON party supporter got away with sharing a clipped and edited video of HM during the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. At the time, they used SC/ST as a weapon to target the BJP. This time as well the CON party leaders and INDI Alliance are using a clipped and altered video to weaponize Dr. Ambedkar’s name.
Amit Shah's Original and Fake statement both 👇
How shamelessly Congress party edited his clip and spread it to mislead innocent OBC/SC/ST Hindus
Congress and it's allied parties ruled and looted India for 70 years by same lies and fake info
No vote to Congress this time pic.twitter.com/1ZXeJFX4p5
— STAR Boy TARUN (@Starboy2079) April 29, 2024
Hence, the latest clipped video sparked outrage from BJP leaders, including HM Amit Shah himself.
🚨 BIG! Home Minister Amit Shah to hold 'Press Conference' at BJP Headquarters at 5:30 pm 🎯
STRONG response from Amit Shah expected 👍
PM Modi also lashes out at the opposition over Ambedkar issue today 👌 pic.twitter.com/k6mBjWJHrS
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) December 18, 2024
Addressing the controversy in a press conference, Shah accused the Congress of twisting his words and manipulating public perception.”Congress has used its old tricks to mislead society by presenting distorted facts,” Shah remarked.
He further announced that the BJP would explore all legal avenues against this “malicious campaign.”
The controversy comes at a time when Congress is under scrutiny for its historical treatment of Dr. Ambedkar. PM Modi, weighing in on the matter, reminded the nation of Congress’s “sins” :
- Opposing Dr. Ambedkar in elections
- Denying Dr. Ambedkar a Bharat Ratna
- Refusing to place Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait in Parliament’s Central Hall for decades
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, doubled down on their criticism of BJP using Amit Shah as a tool. They are now accusing HM Shah of insulting Dr. Ambedkar. Rahul Gandhi called it an “attempt to erase Ambedkar’s contributions,” while Kharge demanded Shah’s resignation.
Clipped Videos: A New Political Weapon?
Showdown Over Ambedkar
Congress leaders receive notice from X for sharing clips of Union HM Amit Shah's speech.
We will not get scared of these things…they have disrespected BR Ambedkar, and whenever they do such things, Cong will stand firm like a stone…: @SupriyaShrinate pic.twitter.com/zTWLuoLjsE
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 19, 2024
The incident highlights a growing trend in Indian politics where clipped videos are used to create viral narratives. This tactic has been particularly evident in the ongoing debates over caste census and reservation. Selective edits of speeches have been weaponized to polarize public opinion.
This is not the first time Congress has faced criticism for its duplicitous tactics.
During past Lok Sabha sessions, clipped videos were shared widely, creating controversies that often overshadowed the core issues being debated. The BJP’s performance in the 2024 elections, securing 240 seats – short of a majority – has further fueled speculation that such tactics are part of a broader strategy to undermine the party’s dominance.
What Lies Ahead for Digital Accountability?
प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने गिनाए कांग्रेस के अंबेडकर-विरोधी कारनामे
कांग्रेस केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री अमित शाह का क्लिप काट कर उनके ख़िलाफ़ दुष्प्रचार, प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने स्वयं इसका जवाब दिया है@himanshi__bisht pic.twitter.com/ES9tE0TA53
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) December 18, 2024
The X notice has brought digital accountability to the forefront of Indian politics. The incident underscores the need for platforms to monitor the misuse of their systems while ensuring the right to free speech. With the BJP vowing to pursue legal action and the Congress standing by its interpretation of Shah’s speech, the battle over the video is far from over.
The MHA’s intervention sets a precedent for how misinformation, particularly in the form of clipped videos, will be handled moving forward.
This is a wake-up call for political parties across the spectrum to ensure ethical practices in digital campaigning. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the battle for narratives in Indian politics is increasingly being fought online. Whether this leads to a cleaner digital space or further polarization remains to be seen.