Ujjain Violence: Police Say Local Influencers Used AI Content to Spread Rumours
· India · Indian Express, The Hindu
Madhya Pradesh police said five social media influencers from Ujjain uploaded reels and videos to spread propaganda before the violence that preceded the partial demolition of the Shahi Masjid. The influencers were booked under sections for promoting enmity, outraging religious feelings, and circulating false information. Their posts on Instagram and Facebook urged people to gather at the mosque site, with one video claiming police had arrived with a JCB and urging immediate attendance. Police alleged the influencers were also protesting at the mosque site and aimed to disturb public peace and incite violence. A faction of the mosque committee disgruntled by the demolition was also said to have mobilised the crowd. The confrontation between police and locals opposing the demolition turned violent on Monday morning after tensions built overnight.
Why it matters
Local residents and communal harmony in Ujjain were directly affected as misinformation fuelled real-world violence. The case highlights how social media can be used to exacerbate tensions around sensitive religious and civic issues.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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