Bollywood actress and environmental activist Dia Mirza has launched a scathing attack on the Telangana government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, after it filed a legal case against her for allegedly posting AI-generated images related to the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) land dispute.
The HCU land issue has been a flashpoint of controversy for weeks, with students, faculty, environmentalists, and civil society groups clashing with the state government over the proposed auction of the 400-acre parcel for IT development.
The Telangana government’s legal action stems from its claim that Mirza, along with other public figures, shared fabricated AI-generated visuals depicting deforestation and wildlife distress on the disputed HCU lands, which it asserts legally belong to the state. The move follows a petition filed by the state in the Telangana High Court on April 7, seeking an investigation into the alleged use of manipulated content to “spread false narratives” that have fueled protests by HCU students and environmentalists.
“The CM of Telangana and his government have stooped to filing a case against me, alleging I posted fake AI images of the HCU lands. This is an outrageous attempt to silence voices advocating for nature and truth,” she wrote.
“I have not shared a single AI-generated image or video. The government should stop deflecting from its destructive policies and verify facts before dragging me into this smear campaign.”
HCU Students’ Union leader Priya Sharma remarked, “Dia Mirza has been a voice for us when few dared to speak. This case is a desperate move to discredit her and our fight.”
The Telangana government, however, doubled down on its stance. A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Monday claimed that “misleading AI visuals” shared by influential figures like Mirza had hampered its developmental agenda and necessitated legal action to curb misinformation. The state’s petition to the High Court also names YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and others.
Mirza has vowed to fight the allegations, calling on her followers to “stand up for justice and the planet.”