NEW DELHI — The Delhi Police announced on Thursday a “perception” campaign aimed at monitoring and countering misinformation ahead of a protest slated for Oct 10. The operation, disclosed in a police bulletin, lists 500 individuals and 200 social‑media channels as subjects of heightened scrutiny.
The police brief said the identified persons include activists, organizers and influencers who have previously taken part in large‑scale rallies in the capital. The 200 channels span platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and regional messaging apps. Officers will track content that could incite unrest, spread false information or undermine public order, according to the bulletin.
Operational scope and resources
In parallel with the perception drive, the police have cancelled leave and training for personnel assigned to the protest zone, a step described as necessary to maintain readiness. The move follows a pattern of heightened security measures taken during high‑profile events in Delhi, including the upcoming BRICS summit, for which the force has deployed 15,000 personnel.
Senior officials said the campaign will employ cyber‑forensic tools, real‑time analytics and liaison officers who will engage directly with platform providers. The aim is to flag potentially inflammatory posts before they gain traction and to issue corrective advisories where needed.
Legal and procedural framework
The perception initiative is being conducted under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers law‑enforcement agencies to intercept, monitor and block online content that threatens public order. The police have also invoked sections of the Indian Penal Code that address incitement and unlawful assembly.
Authorities emphasized that the operation respects constitutional safeguards, noting that any action against identified accounts will be subject to judicial oversight and will follow due‑process requirements.
Background to the Oct 10 protest
The scheduled demonstration is expected to draw several thousand participants, according to organizers. While the police have not disclosed the protest’s specific agenda, they have warned that past gatherings of similar size have occasionally escalated into clashes, prompting pre‑emptive security measures.
Analysts note that the perception campaign reflects a broader trend of Indian law‑enforcement agencies using digital monitoring to pre‑empt disorder during mass events. The approach has drawn both praise for its preventive intent and criticism from civil‑rights groups concerned about privacy and freedom of expression.
Response from civil‑society groups
Several NGOs have called for transparency in the criteria used to select the 500 individuals and 200 channels. A spokesperson for the Internet Freedom Foundation said the police should publish clear guidelines to avoid arbitrary targeting.
In a statement, the Delhi Police reiterated that the campaign is limited to content that threatens public safety and that it will cooperate with civil‑society watchdogs to address any concerns.
