Delhi Police warns of legal action over fake news on Jantar Mantar protest

Delhi Police warns of legal action against those spreading fake news about a protest on reservation reforms at Jantar Mantar on Aug 23. Police clarified no permission was granted, no protest is ongoing, and prohibitory orders are in force.

Police debunk fake news of Jantar Mantar protest

The Delhi police on Sunday warned that legal action may be taken against individuals found "disseminating fake news" and clarified that no protest is underway at Jantar Mantar. The warning came after it issued an alert stating that a video circulating regarding a protest on the issue of reservation reforms at Jantar Mantar on 23rd August, with a heavy crowd, is "false and misleading".

"No permission has been granted to anyone in this regard for 23rd Aug at Jantar Mantar.", DCP New Delhi said on X. It is further clarified that no such protest is ongoing at Jantar Mantar and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS (erstwhile Section 144 CrPC) are already in force in the New Delhi District, he said.

"Accordingly, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are strictly prohibited," he stated. "Citizens are advised not to amplify, forward, or share any unverified content. Legal action may be initiated against individuals found creating or disseminating fake news," he warned.

Context: Recent protest against caste-based reservation

This comes after a large number of people gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Friday to protest against caste-based reservation, under the banner of Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA), demanding a complete overhaul of the caste-based reservation system. They demanded that quotas in academics and employment should strictly be determined by income levels rather than social or caste identities.

Additionally, the protesters advocated for a "one family, one reservation" policy and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the UGC's 2026 caste-equity directives. Following this, the Delhi Police and Central Forces were deployed at the protest site to maintain law and order situation. (ANI)

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