The government on Friday unveiled a video of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan purportedly showing his response to the KJP, saying he would not resign. The unit described the video as “fabricated.”
The fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) explained that the video was digitally edited using artificial intelligence and was circulated through Pakistani propaganda accounts. The Fact-Checking Unit also stated that the Union Minister never made the statements attributed to him.
Turning to X, she said, “Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally edited video of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, which includes fabricated and baseless allegations.”
“#PIBFactCheck: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has not made any such statement.”
What does the edited video say?
In the fabricated clip, Pradhan appears to be responding to the demands of the CJP, which is calling for his resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak.
He was falsely filmed saying: “I want to clear up their misunderstanding. These cockroaches are not the reason why senior politicians resign. Instead, they crush these cockroaches under their shoes and throw them into the dirty gutters of the streets. This is their real situation.”
“If they think they can intimidate us with their thugs, they will soon suffer the consequences of this stupidity.”
What is original video?
The original video was posted by Pradhan on June 18 – in which he is seen talking about ‘Sital Sasthi’.
“Sital Sasthi’ is a unique treat and an emotional introduction to our Odia culture,” his original video was captioned.
PIB Fact Check urged people to beware of fake news and check through official government sources.
CJP protests and demands Pradhan to resign
The resignation of the Minister of Education was at the forefront of the protests that shook the country. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which began as a satirical movement over comments made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, has remained steadfast on its core demand: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Friday marked the thirty-fifth day of protests. CJP spokespersons Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka I had a two-hour meeting With Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the Constitution Club of India. The party said the Center had sought time till Saturday afternoon to deliberate on its main demand for Pradhan’s resignation.
Ranka also claimed that the government was positive about the party’s other two demands, which included compensation to the families of students who died by suicide due to NEET paper leak and assurance that no FIRs would be lodged against the protesting students.
“The government has asked for time until tomorrow afternoon to respond to our request for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. We hope that the government will sack him soon,” Ranka said after the meeting.
As the protests continue The government pledged to take strict measures Against those responsible for NEET paper leak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a draft law providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishments for those involved.
In a video message on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Modi said the government was aware of the seriousness of the crisis. “Friends, I know that paper leakage is not a simple problem. It has caused great pain to many students and their parents.”
“Therefore, over the past two and a half months, many concrete steps have been taken. The perpetrators have been arrested and are in prison.”
