Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has moved the Bombay High Court to address a series of defamatory posts and deepfake videos circulating on various social media platforms, while these posts are specifically targeted at the government's E20 ethanol blend fuel policy and attempt to link the senior BJP leader and his family to alleged profits derived from this initiative. According to a report by Bar and Bench, Gadkari sought the court's permission to initiate a civil suit against major technology and social media companies, including Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and Google, among others. The Bombay High Court has officially granted him the permission to proceed with this legal action.
Allegations of Misinformation and Deepfakes
The petition filed by Nitin Gadkari highlights a coordinated effort to spread misinformation regarding the E20 ethanol blending program. The Union Minister has alleged that certain content creators and social media users are sharing deepfake videos and derogatory posts that falsely implicate him and his family members. The primary thrust of these allegations on social media is that Gadkari is personally benefiting from the E20 policy. However, the petition clarifies that these claims are entirely baseless and intended to tarnish his reputation. The legal move aims to hold the platforms accountable for hosting such content and to seek its removal from the digital space.
Clarification on Policy Ownership
A significant point raised in the legal challenge is the administrative ownership of the E20 ethanol blend fuel policy. While the social media posts suggest that Nitin Gadkari is responsible for the program and is reaping financial rewards from it, the petition points out a crucial factual error in these claims. The E20 policy is actually under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. By highlighting this, Gadkari's legal team emphasizes that the allegations of personal profit aren't only defamatory but also factually incorrect, as the policy is managed by a different ministry altogether. The court's permission to file a civil suit marks a significant step in Gadkari's effort to combat digital misinformation and protect his public image from false narratives surrounding government policies. The case underscores the growing concern over deepfakes and the responsibility of social media giants like Meta and Google in monitoring defamatory content.