📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Indian Navy
Defence
Fact Check: Rajnath Singh's Diwali Remarks on Soldier Morale Were Video‑Edited
✍️ NewsMeter
🗓 11 Nov 2026, 10:09 AM
👁 24
A video circulating online that appears to show Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saying Indian soldiers' morale is low during Diwali has been proven manipulated, according to a NewsMeter fact‑check.
A short clip shared on social media claimed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking on Diwali, said the morale of Indian troops had dipped. The video quickly went viral, prompting speculation about the state of the armed forces during the festive season.
NewsMeter examined the footage and found clear signs of tampering. Frame‑by‑frame analysis showed that the audio was spliced from a different speech, while the visual of Singh was edited to match the altered words. The original statement, delivered at a separate event, made no mention of low morale.
The fact‑check team also consulted the Ministry of Defence, which confirmed that no such comment was made by the minister. The manipulated video appears to be part of a broader trend of misinformation targeting defence officials during high‑visibility occasions.
Experts warned that such doctored content can erode public confidence in the armed forces and urged viewers to verify sources before sharing. The incident underscores the need for vigilance against digital manipulation, especially around national holidays.
The corrected record reaffirms that Rajnath Singh has consistently highlighted the readiness and dedication of Indian soldiers, without indicating any decline in morale.
NewsMeter examined the footage and found clear signs of tampering. Frame‑by‑frame analysis showed that the audio was spliced from a different speech, while the visual of Singh was edited to match the altered words. The original statement, delivered at a separate event, made no mention of low morale.
The fact‑check team also consulted the Ministry of Defence, which confirmed that no such comment was made by the minister. The manipulated video appears to be part of a broader trend of misinformation targeting defence officials during high‑visibility occasions.
Experts warned that such doctored content can erode public confidence in the armed forces and urged viewers to verify sources before sharing. The incident underscores the need for vigilance against digital manipulation, especially around national holidays.
The corrected record reaffirms that Rajnath Singh has consistently highlighted the readiness and dedication of Indian soldiers, without indicating any decline in morale.