Deep fake trolling: Activist Prof. Narendra Nayak files FIR with Urwa police

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 16, 2026: Noted social activist Prof. Narendra Nayak on Thursday filed a complaint with the Urwa Police Station regarding an objectionable video posted on Facebook, depicting him in false contexts, and requested the police to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action. In his complaint dated January 15, 2026, Prof. Narendra Nayak stated that the video was posted on the Facebook page of one Pro. Pavitra Kanchan on January 14, and that it was artificially created and defamatory in nature and content. He further noted that the Facebook post included several defamatory comments posted by various individuals.

“Since I am a well-known rationalist, President of the Federation of Rationalist Associations of India, Trustee of the Aid Without Religion Trust (Regd), among others, this video curtails my fundamental right to express my opinion,” he stated in the complaint, which was submitted along with a downloaded copy of the video and screenshots of the Facebook post.

Prof. Narendra Nayak, who is nationally known as an outspoken rationalist, humanist and myth-buster, has often led mass movements for social justice. He was most recently associated with championing justice for slain RTI activist Vinayak Baliga. He is frequently targeted by right-wing trolls for his activism against superstition, advocacy of scientific temper, and for exposing spiritual frauds, miracle-mongers, fake godmen and religious charlatans.

Following a series of murderous attacks on nationally renowned rationalists since 2013, including Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M. M. Kalburgi, allegedly by right-wing groups, and after his name was found on the hit list of prime suspects in the murder of journalist Gowri Lankesh, the state government had provided him police protection at state expense for nearly seven years from 2016.

The Urwa Police have registered the case and issued a formal acknowledgement. Fabricated photos and videos, commonly referred to as ‘deep fakes’, are emerging as a growing trend due to the easy availability of artificial intelligence (AI) tools online.