1 week ago
Fresh Delhi Police Guidelines Urge Calm During Protests
Delhi Police officers received new advice about how to behave during protests.
They were told to stay calm even when protesters mock or provoke them.
Officers should assume that people may record them with mobile phones.
Those recordings can spread online and lead to public criticism.
Police should avoid arguments and speak briefly when communication is necessary.
They should not push away phones, shout angrily or become physical unless their duty requires it.
They were also told not to accept flowers, food or other items from women protesters.
Police must still help sick or injured people and keep important routes clear.
A central agency advised Delhi Police personnel to remain calm and avoid reacting to provocations during protests.
Officers were told to assume their actions are being recorded and may circulate widely online.
The guidelines urge brief, respectful responses and warn against arguments, aggressive gestures and unnecessary physical confrontation.
The advisory followed allegations of police excesses and widely shared videos from the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
Personnel were instructed to help ill or injured protesters and keep routes open for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.
- Who
- Delhi Police personnel, following guidelines issued by an unnamed central agency.
- What
- They were advised to remain composed, avoid provocation and maintain professional conduct during protests.
- Where
- Delhi, including Jantar Mantar and public spaces covered by district, railway and metro units.
- When
- The guidelines were reported on August 23, after a CJP protest held the previous month.
- Why
- To promote restraint and professionalism, address scrutiny of police conduct and protect public safety during demonstrations.
Police Restraint and Public Safety
Recording and Accountability
Purpose of the advisory
Police Restraint and Public Safety
Police sources said the instructions are intended to maintain professionalism, restraint and public safety during crowd-management duties.
Recording and Accountability
The advisory followed allegations of police excesses and videos of police-protester interactions that drew discussion and criticism on social media.
Conduct during protests
Police Restraint and Public Safety
Officers are expected to ignore provocations and use respectful, brief requests when communication is necessary.
Recording and Accountability
Protesters may use mockery, songs, dances, placards, mock salutes and emotional appeals, while recording police conduct for public scrutiny.
Law enforcement and confrontation
Police Restraint and Public Safety
Police must continue maintaining law and order while helping ill or injured protesters and keeping routes open for the public.
Recording and Accountability
Protesters and social media users can use recorded confrontations to debate and criticise perceived police excesses; the articles also report that some protesters said they had been lathi-charged.
Key facts
- Issuing body
- An unnamed central agency issued the guidelines, according to police sources.
- Main instruction
- Personnel should remain calm, avoid arguments and respond briefly when interaction is unavoidable.
- Recording and scrutiny
- Officers were told to assume their conduct is being recorded and may circulate widely online.
- Background
- The advisory followed allegations of police excesses during the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
- Prohibited reactions
- Officers were told not to push away phones, snatch or throw objects, shout angrily or engage physically unless required by duty.
- Public safety
- Police must assist ill or injured protesters and keep routes clear for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.
- Gifts and food
- Personnel were instructed not to accept flowers, food or other items from women protesters.
Quotes
Central agency protest guidelines
Guidelines issued by a central agency for Delhi Police personnel managing protests
“I had given the same directions to all the officers during the CJP protest -- not to give any reaction to any of the protesters and just to do their duty.”
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
livemint.com
“Your anger is their satisfaction and content for them to portray you as villains.”
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
theprint.in
A senior police officer
Delhi Police officer who described the directions given during the Cockroach Janta Party protest
“I had given the same directions to all the officers during the CJP protest – not to give any reaction to any of the protesters and just to do their duty”
theprint.in
Sources
CJP protest: Fresh guidelines urge Delhi Police to stay calm and avoid protesters’ provocation
'Your anger is their satisfaction': Delhi cops told to stay calm at protests
‘Your anger is their content’: Delhi Police personnel urged not to engage with protesters
Delhi Police told to control anger, avoid ‘villain’ tag during protests after CJP agitation: What fresh guidelines say
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