NCP Dispute: Supreme Court Asks Ajit Pawar Faction to not Use Sharad Pawar’s Photos and Videos for Maharashtra Election Campaigns
Today (November 13, 2024), the Supreme Court (SC) bench was hearing a matter related to the dispute between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar factions of the NCP (National Congress Party). The bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked the Ajit Pawar faction to not use Sharad Pawar’s photos and videos in their campaign materials for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra. It told Ajit Pawar’s group to fight the election with their separate identity, not with the help of NCP (Sharad Pawar). Earlier, the top Court directed Ajit Pawar to publish disclaimers regarding the clock symbol in newspapers to differentiate between the two NCP factions.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who appeared for Sharad Pawar presented certain materials such as photos, social posts, etc. which were published violating the top court’s order. He reported that the videos and photos showing Sharad Pawar were published by Ajit Pawar’s faction and reported that the same was posted from an official social media handle of Amol Mitkari, a candidate of the NCP (Ajit Pawar). Senior Advocate Balbir Singh appeared for Ajit Pawar and denied the allegations. Justice Kany asked Singhvi, “Do you think the people of Maharashtra don't know about the rift?” SA Singhvi replied, “Today India is different, everything we see here in Delhi most of it is seen by rural people.”
Furthermore, Justice Kant, turning to Ajit Pawar, said, “Whether or not it is an old video, with Mr. Pawar you have an ideological difference and you are fighting against him. Then you should try to stand up on your own legs.” SA Singh said that Sharad Pawar's video was not used for election campaigns. Justice Kant said, “Please concentrate on the battlefield, people will answer everything. They are very wise and know where to vote and how to vote. We don't doubt their wisdom. They know who is Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. These video clips may or may not influence the voters. But when there is an order of this Court, it has to be faithfully respected.”
Moreover, Justice Kant told SA SIngh “Out of the photos which Dr.Singhvi has referred to, you find out only this, who is this Amol Mitkari and he is putting some video clip of Mr.Sharad Pawar. So just find out. We are not saying anything. Issue some electronic circular among your office bearers and candidates not to use the video clip or photograph of Mr Sharad Pawar. You confine on your own identity as a separate distinct political party.” While agreeing to comply with the top Court’s direction, SA Balbir Singh said that in this modern era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) photos and videos can be manipulated via deepfake. Replying to this, Justice Kant said, “There have been instances which are eye opener. Ultimately this AI also where it will go we have to be very very careful. In Tamil Nadu, I believe what we read and probably it is correct also - some political personality who is no more his voice and his daughter speech were used and the daughter is also no more.”
