Delhi Police Told Not to React As Protesters Try To Provoke Them on Camera

Delhi Police personnel have been issued new guidelines on how to conduct themselves while managing protests, with particular emphasis on remaining calm and avoiding confrontations that could be recorded and circulated on social media. The directions come amid a series of demonstrations in the national capital where protesters and content creators have filmed police personnel, sometimes attempting to provoke emotional or angry reactions. The guidelines advise officers to remember that their conduct may be captured on camera and viewed widely online.

The personnel have been instructed not to engage in arguments with protesters or respond to questions and emotional appeals designed to provoke a reaction. Protesters may cry, make emotional statements, ask personal questions or attempt to evoke sympathy and anger, according to the reported instructions. Police have been told to avoid becoming part of such exchanges and instead maintain a professional and composed demeanour while carrying out their duties.

Officers have also been advised to limit their verbal responses during confrontations. When communication is necessary, they can use a standard response such as, “Please cooperate, we are doing our duty,” while otherwise maintaining silence. The guidelines stress that remaining calm can prevent situations from escalating and reduce the possibility of controversial interactions being turned into viral social media content.

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The directions also warn personnel against aggressive reactions to phones, placards, songs, dances, mock salutes, humour or other forms of protest. Officers have been told not to push away cameras, snatch phones or objects, shout in anger or react to mocking behaviour. The emphasis is on maintaining restraint even when protesters deliberately attempt to provoke a response.

The guidelines include several instructions aimed at ensuring respectful conduct during demonstrations. Personnel have been advised to avoid unnecessary physical contact with women protesters, decline flowers or food offered by demonstrators and assist protesters who faint or suffer injuries. They have also been asked to ensure that ambulances can pass without obstruction and that schoolchildren and elderly people can travel safely through protest areas.

The new approach comes after protests at Jantar Mantar, including demonstrations linked to the NEET-UG paper leak issue, during which police reactions were frequently recorded and shared online. With social media increasingly shaping how protests and police actions are perceived, the instructions seek to keep officers focused on maintaining order without becoming the centre of viral confrontations. The broader message to personnel is to remain professional, respectful and composed while performing their duties in highly visible public situations.

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