Delhi Police issued fresh protest conduct guidelines

Delhi Police personnel have received new guidance on how to conduct themselves during protests, with instructions to remain calm, avoid provocation, and not be drawn into emotional exchanges, police sources said. The guidelines were issued by a central agency and come against the backdrop of allegations of police excesses during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar last month.

The guidance stresses that personnel should assume their actions and reactions are being recorded on mobile phones and could circulate widely online. "Your anger is their satisfaction and content for them to portray you as villains," the guidelines state. A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said directions are aimed at ensuring personnel maintain professionalism and restraint while performing crowd-management duties.

The officer said similar directions were given to all officers deployed during the CJP 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," the officer was quoted as saying.

Specific instructions on engagement

Police personnel have been advised to avoid unnecessary conversations with protesters and not respond to questions, taunts, emotional appeals or attempts to draw them into arguments. When an interaction is unavoidable, they should restrict their response to a simple request to cooperate and otherwise maintain silence, the guidelines say.

The instructions caution personnel against reacting to mockery, humour, songs, dances, placards, mock salutes or other forms of behaviour intended to elicit a response. They have also been told not to respond aggressively by pushing away mobile phones, snatching or throwing objects, shouting in anger or engaging in physical confrontation unless required as part of their duty.

Personnel were also warned against being drawn into emotional exchanges. The guidelines reportedly state: '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.' They also offered examples: "Protesters may cry, fall at the feet of police personnel or raise questions about their family circumstances and salaries in an attempt to evoke sympathy or anger."

In such situations, personnel have been advised not to debate, express agreement, or become emotionally involved, but to respond if necessary with: "Please cooperate, we are doing our duty," and then to maintain silence.

Sympathy, flowers and public safety

The advisory also addresses situations where protesters may attempt to evoke sympathy. Personnel have been asked not to get drawn into conversations involving personal circumstances, family issues, or salaries. They have also been asked not to accept flowers, food or any other items from women protesters.

The instruction comes after videos shared online showed agitators offering flowers to police personnel. Protesters in those videos said they had been lathi charged but would still offer flowers. The contrasting visuals of confrontation and protesters offering flowers led to criticism of the forces by a large number of social media users.

At the same time, the guidelines emphasise that maintaining law and order should not come at the cost of public safety. Personnel have been directed to assist protesters who fall ill or sustain injuries and ensure unobstructed movement for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.

Context: viral videos and new-generation protesters

The directives come amid growing scrutiny of police conduct during protests in the national capital, particularly after recent agitation at Jantar Mantar. Several police actions and reactions have been recorded and circulated widely on social media, often becoming the subject of memes and public criticism.

During the CJP protest, several videos of police personnel deployed there were widely circulated online. In some of these videos, personnel were seen involved in verbal altercations with protesters.

The guidelines follow the NEET-UG paper leak protests held at Jantar Mantar, where GenZ protesters filmed police officers. One source was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying: "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 directions also advise personnel in district, railway and metro units to remain particularly conscious of their conduct in public spaces.

The guidelines were first reported by The Indian Express, which also detailed that they follow the criticism of the CJP protest handling. Additionally, The Indian Express reported that Delhi Police Commissioner has ordered an intelligence revamp, asking the Special Branch for a more "comprehensive and actionable assessment" of groups organising protests.