Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Delhi Police Told to Stay Calm Under New Protest Guidelines
Delhi Police have received new instructions for handling protests.
The main message is to stay calm and not get angry when people try to provoke them.
Officers are told to act as if everyone is recording them with a phone.
They should avoid arguments and answer only when necessary by asking people to cooperate.
They should not react aggressively to jokes, songs, signs or mock salutes.
The instructions follow videos and allegations linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Police must still protect public order while helping anyone who becomes sick or injured.
They must also keep paths open for ambulances, children going to school and older people.
Fresh guidelines advise Delhi Police personnel to remain calm, avoid provocation and assume they are being recorded.
Officers have been told not to argue with protesters or react to taunts, mockery, songs, placards or gestures.
The advisory follows allegations of police excesses and widely circulated videos from last month’s Cockroach Janta Party protest.
Personnel must maintain law and order while helping injured or ill protesters and keeping routes clear for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.
Officers were also instructed to use respectful language, avoid unnecessary physical confrontation and not accept items from women protesters.
- Who
- Delhi Police personnel, following directions from a central agency.
- What
- Fresh guidelines instruct officers to remain calm, avoid provocation, maintain professionalism and protect public safety during protests.
- When
- The guidelines were reported on Sunday and follow a protest held last month.
- Where
- New Delhi, particularly Jantar Mantar and other public spaces, including railway and metro areas.
- Why
- The directions follow allegations of police excesses, widely circulated videos and concerns that officers’ conduct could be recorded and criticised online.
Police and Public-Safety Perspective
Protesters and Critics’ Perspective
Conduct During Protests
Police and Public-Safety Perspective
Police officials say restraint and professionalism are necessary because officers’ conduct is recorded, scrutinised and can affect crowd management.
Protesters and Critics’ Perspective
Protesters and critics have raised allegations of police excesses, while videos of verbal altercations and contrasting interactions circulated online.
Responding to Provocation
Police and Public-Safety Perspective
The guidelines say officers should not respond to taunts, mockery, emotional appeals or gestures intended to provoke them, except when action is required for duty.
Protesters and Critics’ Perspective
The advisory reflects concerns that protesters’ actions and police reactions can be filmed and presented online in ways that generate criticism of the force.
- Issuing body
- A central agency issued the fresh directions to Delhi Police, according to police sources.
- Main instruction
- Personnel were told to remain calm, avoid provocation and maintain restraint.
- Recording concern
- Officers were advised to assume their actions and reactions are being recorded and may circulate online.
- Communication
- When interaction is unavoidable, personnel should simply ask protesters to cooperate and otherwise remain silent.
- Public safety
- Police must assist protesters who fall ill or are injured and keep routes open for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.
- Protest referenced
- The advisory follows allegations of police excesses during the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar last month.
- Conduct restrictions
- Personnel were told not to accept flowers, food or other items from women protesters.