Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader K M Shaji has launched a sharp attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, criticising the state police's action against a Congress functionary for allegedly sharing an AI-generated image. The controversy revolves around a digitally altered picture that showed the CM with Sabarimala gold theft accused Unnikrishnan Potti.
Shaji's Allegation: CM's 'Weakness' for Gold
In a strongly worded statement, Shaji directly linked the Chief Minister's alleged sensitivity to the AI image case to the Sabarimala gold theft scandal. He asserted that gold is a "weakness" of the Chief Minister. Shaji referenced past controversies, including the diplomatic channel gold smuggling case and an incident at Kozhikode airport.
"Because gold, which is inspected by customs everywhere else, was inspected by CM's police here. When 10kg was caught, merely half a kilo was recorded. So, gold is his weakness," Shaji alleged. He further claimed, "Govt here is such that gold will be taken, be it at a temple or through diplomatic channel."
Defending the AI Image: 'Like a Cartoon'
Shaji defended the creation and sharing of the AI-generated image, arguing it was not a legitimate case for police action. He clarified that the photos of the CM and Potti were from a real event that actually took place.
"When an event happened, various cartoonish depictions of it may surface. AI is basically recreating it like a cartoon. How can that be such a big case?" he questioned. Shaji elaborated that if Potti and the CM were indeed in the same scene, it is natural for various depictions—cartoons, AI images, videos—to emerge.
He drew a clear distinction, stating, "If this incident hadn't taken place, then there is a scope for a case. At the same time, if such an event didn't take place and if CM's image was artificially inserted in an image next to Potti, then there is a case. Otherwise, what is the scope for a case here?"
Political Fallout and 'Pinarayism' Jab
Shaji concluded his criticism by suggesting that the fear and urgency behind the police action reveal the Chief Minister's deep involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He framed the entire episode as symptomatic of a broader political decay in the state.
"The fear behind this action and the urgency behind it shows how much CM is involved in Sabarimala gold theft," Shaji alleged. He ended with a sweeping condemnation, declaring that Kerala is witnessing despicable politics under 'Pinarayism'.
The remarks from the prominent IUML leader have intensified the political slugfest in Kerala, adding a new layer to the ongoing debates around AI misuse, freedom of expression, and the allegations surrounding the Sabarimala temple gold theft.
