The Delhi Police has remained at the centre of controversies as the national capital continues to see massive protests. Several actions and reactions of the police personnel have been caught on camera and gone viral in this age of social media and memes, specially after the Jantar Mantar protests. To counter this, the police department has issued guidelines on how personnel must conduct themselves in public.
The Delhi Police personnel have been asked not to engage with the protesters or respond to their questions or emotional appeals, the Indian Express reported. "Your angry face is their content. They are not fighting you. They are making a film in which they want you to play the villain. Refuse that role," the police have been told.
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The new directives warned the Delhi Police personnel against falling for their tactics to evoke sympathy, anger or even a simple reaction. "Protesters may cry loudly, fall at the feet of personnel, or ask questions intended to create sympathy or anger, such as references to family background or salary issues," it said.
The police personnel have been advised not to hold any conversation or "show agreement". They have been asked to respond when necessary by saying, "Please cooperate, we are doing our duty". Otherwise, the personnel must "maintain silence".
{{/usCountry}}The police personnel have been advised not to hold any conversation or "show agreement". They have been asked to respond when necessary by saying, "Please cooperate, we are doing our duty". Otherwise, the personnel must "maintain silence".
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The guidelines follow the NEET-UG paper leak protests held at Jantar Mantar, where GenZ protesters could be seen filming the police officers, sometimes provoking anger, other times just making them smile at their tomfoolery. Several content creators recorded the police reactions, which went viral on social media.
The police have been asked to always keep in mind that they are on camera and maintain their calm.
“A calm face gives them nothing, and police personnel are trained to have been asked not to say anything in such situations. They have been clearly told that no controversial clip means no viral video,” the report cited a source as saying.
The Central agencies had earlier issued an advisory to all districts, Railway and Metro units of Delhi Police.
The personnel have also been advised against giving an aggressive response like pushing away a phone, snatching or throwing objects, shouting in anger. They must not react to any form of humour, mockery, songs, dances, mock salutes or placards showed to them.
A few other directives include - avoid touching women protesters, avoid accepting flowers or food offered by protesters, help protesters in case they faint or get hurt. The police have been asked to ensure ease of travel for ambulances, school children and the elderly. Further, they must maintain a respectful body language and language.