The Misinformation Battle: How politics, institutions and national figures were targeted last month

Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk

The rapid expansion of digital platforms has transformed the way information reaches citizens, but it has also accelerated the spread of misinformation, manipulated content and fabricated narratives. Every major political development, administrative decision, social event and public controversy now becomes a potential target for digitally altered graphics, artificial intelligence-generated videos, edited images and misleading social media posts that can influence public perception within minutes. Throughout July 2026, numerous false claims circulated across social media platforms, messaging applications and digital news ecosystems, involving politicians, media portals, influencers and anonymous accounts. These narratives targeted elected representatives, constitutional authorities, religious institutions, security forces, journalists, national leaders and organisations through fabricated quotations, edited visuals, AI-generated content and misleading contextual claims. Several viral posts attempted to attribute statements to public figures that they never made, while others repurposed old photographs and videos to create entirely new and misleading narratives. The incidents documented during the month reveal recurring patterns in the dissemination of misinformation. Artificial intelligence was increasingly used to generate fake videos and graphics, edited news graphics were repeatedly circulated as genuine, archival footage was presented as current events, and fabricated claims were amplified through coordinated social media activity. Fact-checks subsequently established that these claims lacked credible evidence, official confirmation or reliable reporting, demonstrating the growing challenge posed by digitally manipulated content in the public domain. These documented incidents collectively underline the importance of verification, responsible journalism and reliance on credible sources before accepting or sharing viral content. They also illustrate how misinformation can rapidly influence public discourse by exploiting current events and political developments through fabricated narratives presented as authentic information. Fake Claims: Politics 1. Mehbooba Mufti’s Claim of Restrictions on Friday Prayers and Azaan at Pakherpora Mosque Found False Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, through her X handle @MehboobaMufti, shared a post on July 26, 2026, claiming that Friday prayers had been curtailed and the Azaan had been denied at the historic Pakherpora Mosque in Budgam, Jammu & Kashmir. In her post, Mehbooba Mufti condemned the alleged restrictions on Friday prayers and the reported denial of the Azaan at the mosque. She stated that such scenes had been unheard of even during the darkest years of militancy and urged the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, the GOC 15 Corps, and the Director General of Police of Jammu & Kashmir to ensure accountability for the alleged incident. The claim was subsequently found to be false. According to the fact check, the post was shared in a false context, and no credible news reports or official sources supported the allegation. Security forces clarified that no restrictions had been imposed on Friday prayers or the Azaan at Pakherpora Mosque. A senior district police official informed the local news agency KDC that a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was underway in the area based on credible intelligence inputs. During the operation, some devotees travelling from outside the locality may have experienced temporary inconvenience in reaching the mosque due to security measures. Officials confirmed that Friday congregational prayers and the Azaan were conducted as scheduled and that no restrictions had been placed on religious observances at the mosque. Fake Claims Social Media Influencers 2. Viral Resignation Letter Bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Signature Found to Be Fake A viral post circulating on social media claiming to show a resignation letter bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signature was found to be fake. On July 29, 2026, a Facebook user identified as Damayanti Negi shared a post claiming to circulate a resignation letter purportedly signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with the image, the user wrote, “How many people were happy, and how many were sad.” The claim was subsequently found to be baseless. According to the fact check, the resignation letter had been digitally edited using artificial intelligence and was shared with a false claim. No credible news report or official confirmation supported the authenticity of the document, and no such resignation letter had been issued or signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 3. Digitally Altered Graphic Falsely Attributed Fabricated Remark to Prime Minister Narendra Modi A social media post claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated during Mann Ki Baat that both a man and a woman existed within him, and that this was why he worked for the welfare of both, was found to be false. On July 27, 2026, the X account Shekhar Khare (सेवानिवतृ) (@SKkhare11) shared a post claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the statement during Mann Ki Baat. The claim was subsequently found to be unfounded and misleading. According to the fact check, the graphic accompanying the post had been digitally altered and shared in a false context. No credible news report supported the claim. The original Prajatantra TV graphic had carried Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks ahead of the Parliament session, in which he emphasised that every voice should be heard and every idea should be respected. 4. Viral Claim of Hanuman Temple Gates Being Closed to Prevent Student Protesters’ Entry Found Misleading A viral social media claim alleging that the Ancient Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place had closed its gates to prevent student protesters from entering the premises was found to be misleading. Between July 21 and 24, 2026, the X accounts ηᎥ †Ꭵ ղ (@nkk_123) and अश्वनी सोनी (@Ramraajya), along with the Instagram handle @amitkarn99, shared posts claiming that student protesters had reached the Ancient Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place seeking shelter and that the temple authorities had shut the gates to deny them entry. The claim was subsequently found to be misleading. According to the fact check, the video accompanying the posts had been shared in a false context, and no credible news reports or reliable sources supported the allegation. The students had already been inside the temple premises, and the temple was briefly closed on police instructions to maintain order and ensure the safety of those present. Temple chief (mahant) Avyan Sharma stated that the [...]