The Delhi Police has stepped up its social media campaign ahead of the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, with its perception management wing working to counter what officials describe as a “cyber warfare” campaign that, according to the force, had projected the police in a negative light during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) July demonstration.
“Concentrated efforts are being made to show the police’s side of the story. The police began examining the performance of their social media content and why their version of events did not receive similar traction during the July protest. A series of videos showing personnel allegedly injured during protests, uniforms and badges that were torn, women officers being assisted after collapsing and instances of protesters allegedly pushing or resisting police personnel have been circulated via the official Delhi police handle on X. Videos also include statements and assessments by senior police officials on incidents during the demonstrations. The police believe the imbalance in online content helped shape public perception of the protest and put the force on the defensive.
The Delhi police have identified at least 500 individuals who they believe are likely to attend the protest.
The effort is being made based on the learning from our past experience during the July protest of the CJP, and efforts are being made to draw engagement on social media platforms,” an official close to the matter said. Another official close to the development said the force was working with Meta, X and other social media platforms to examine why its content was not being amplified by their algorithms. The July protest generated a large volume of social media content in support of the demonstrators, while comparatively fewer videos presenting the police’s account of events were circulated, according to police officials. The list includes members of the CJP’s core team, supporters and people associated with the organisers, including domestic workers, drivers and other staff, according to the document seen by The Hindu . “We are not posting CCTV footage or any evidence material, but whatever other people are sharing, we are telling our side of the story,” the official said.
