Did Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai Warn Against Influence Of ‘Saffron Politics’ In Indian Army?

A video purportedly showing senior Indian Army officer Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai criticising the alleged rise of “saffron politics” within the force has gone viral on social media platforms.

In the viral clip, Lt Gen Ghai is allegedly heard saying, “As a senior officer who has devoted decades to the service of this uniform, I say this with deep concern. The growing influence of saffron politics is corroding the core values of the Indian Army…When ideology starts dictating loyalty, it fractures morale, fuels internal distrust, and weakens combat effectiveness. If this trend continues, we will not be defeated by an external enemy, but by the political poison spreading within our own ranks.”

Newschecker also received the video on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) to be fact checked. 

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Evidence

No credible reports or sources

A keyword search for “Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai saffron politics” yielded no credible news reports or official statements supporting the viral claim.

Source traced to Republic World broadcast

A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral clip led to a YouTube video by  Republic World, live streamed on October 18, 2025, featuring Lt Gen Ghai speaking at a conclave. The backdrop in the viral video matches that of this legitimate broadcast,  but he never makes the alleged remarks.

Signs of AI manipulation

Close inspection revealed clear visual distortions:  the insignia on the uniform appeared warped, and the text “Defence” on-screen shifted and glitched throughout the video. His lip movements also appeared unnatural, consistent with AI-generated media.

AI detection confirms deepfake

• Hive Moderation analysis found a 94.2% likelihood that the video contained AI-generated content.
• Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector flagged the audio as likely deepfake.
• Resemble.ai also confirmed that the voice was not authentic.

Official denial by PIB Fact Check

The government’s PIB Fact Check handle clarified that the clip is fake and AI-generated, and confirmed, “Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai has NOT made any such statement.”

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Verdict

The video claiming Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai warned against “saffron politics” in the Indian Army is manipulated using AI. The officer made no such remarks.

FAQs

Q1. Did Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai really talk about saffron politics in the Army?
No. The viral video is fabricated using AI.

Q2. What evidence proves the clip is fake?
Multiple AI detection tools and visual inconsistencies confirmed it as a deepfake.

Q3. Has the government commented on this video?
Yes. PIB Fact Check officially debunked it as AI-generated misinformation.

Q4. How can viewers identify AI-generated videos?
Look for unnatural lip-syncs, flickering logos, or inconsistent text and lighting. Use reliable AI detection tools to confirm authenticity.

Sources
YouTube Video By Republic World, Dated October 18, 2025
X Post By PIB Fact Check, Dated October 23, 2025
Hive Moderation Website
Resemble.ai Website
Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector