The state government of Telangana has expressed deep concern over the rampant spread of fake news and AI-generated videos concerning the Kancha Gachibowli lands issue. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has taken a firm stand against the misinformation circulating on social media platforms, directing officials to seek judicial intervention to investigate the matter thoroughly.

On Saturday, the Chief Minister convened a high-level review meeting to discuss ongoing court cases related to the Kancha Gachibowli lands. The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers P. Srinivas Reddy and Seethakka, Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, Director General of Police Jitender, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests RM Dobrial, Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) Managing Director Vishnuvardhan Reddy, and other senior officials. The discussion centered on the sudden emergence of controversies surrounding lands in Survey No. 25, located in Kancha Gachibowli, which have been allocated for various projects over the past 25 years without significant opposition.

According to the officials, the lands in question have been utilized for several prominent developments, including the Indian School of Business (ISB), Gachibowli Stadium, the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), University of Hyderabad (HoU) buildings, and various private constructions. They emphasized that during the establishment of these institutions, there were no protests or demands for the protection of wildlife or the environment. This raised a pertinent question during the meeting: why are such concerns being raised now, decades after the projects were completed?

The officials briefed the Chief Minister that the current controversy erupted due to the rapid dissemination of fake news and AI-generated images on social media, falsely suggesting that wildlife in the region had suffered irreparable harm. 

What began as a localized issue quickly escalated into a national debate, fueled by viral misinformation. The officials lamented that the fake content gained traction even before the state government could issue an official clarification, leaving little room to counter the narrative effectively.

The spread of this misinformation was further amplified by prominent personalities and digital influencers who, perhaps unwittingly, endorsed the fabricated claims. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, former Minister Jagdesshwar Reddy, popular social media influencer Dhruv Rathi, and film actors John Abraham, Diya Mirza, and Raveena Tandon were among those who shared the fake news and AI-generated visuals, lending credibility to the falsehoods and creating a significant buzz online. The involvement of such high-profile individuals only intensified the public outcry, despite the lack of factual basis.

Journalist Sumit Jha, identified as the first individual to circulate the fake images, later retracted his posts and issued an apology. However, the damage had already been done, with the misleading content reaching a wide audience. In response, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed officials to approach the courts to address the deliberate creation and dissemination of this fake content. He stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable and preventing such incidents from recurring.

Additionally, the Chief Minister urged officials to adopt cutting-edge technology capable of detecting and combating fake news and manipulated images. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to safeguard the public from misinformation, particularly in an era where AI-generated content can easily distort reality. The state government’s move to seek legal recourse and bolster its technological capabilities reflects a broader commitment to tackling the growing menace of digital misinformation.

The Kancha Gachibowli lands issue serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by fake news in the digital age. As social media continues to shape public perception, the state government’s response underscores the urgency of addressing this issue head-on, ensuring that truth prevails over fabricated narratives. With judicial and technological interventions underway, the administration hopes to set a precedent in curbing the misuse of digital platforms for spreading falsehoods.