Delhi Police has issued fresh behavioural guidelines for its personnel on how to deal with a new generation of protesters who frequently use smartphones, reels and social media to document demonstrations. The advisory comes after intense protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where several interactions between protesters and police personnel were recorded and circulated widely online.
The central message of the guidelines is simple: stay calm and do not give protesters an emotional reaction that can become viral content. According to reports, police personnel have been told to remember that they are constantly on camera during such demonstrations.
One of the most striking messages in the advisory reportedly tells officers that their angry expression can itself become the protesters’ content. The idea is that a confrontation lasting only a few seconds can be edited into a short video and shared across social-media platforms, potentially reaching thousands or millions of viewers.
The police have therefore been advised not to engage in unnecessary arguments with demonstrators. If protesters ask provocative questions or attempt to draw officers into a debate, personnel have reportedly been instructed to avoid responding emotionally. Where a response is necessary, officers have been advised to use a short statement such as, “Please cooperate, we are doing our duty,” and otherwise maintain silence.
The guidelines reportedly caution officers against reacting even when protesters attempt to provoke sympathy or anger. Protesters may cry, make emotional appeals or raise personal issues involving their families and financial circumstances. Officers have been told not to become involved in such exchanges.
The change reflects a broader transformation in the way protests are conducted. For young demonstrators, smartphones are not merely communication devices. They can also be tools for recording events, sharing information and shaping public opinion. Recent reporting on youth protests in India has highlighted the importance of reels, memes and online mobilisation in modern street movements.
The Jantar Mantar protests brought this new dynamic into sharp focus. Protesters were seen recording police personnel while interacting with them. Some clips reportedly showed officers reacting to humour and provocative comments, while other footage showed confrontations. The circulation of such videos created another layer of pressure on the police.
The advisory therefore appears to recognise that crowd management today is also taking place in a highly visual environment. Every gesture, facial expression or exchange can potentially become part of a viral clip.
At the same time, the guidelines do not simply focus on social media. They also emphasise professional conduct. Police personnel remain responsible for maintaining order and ensuring that protests do not escalate into violence. The challenge is to enforce the law without allowing unnecessary personal confrontation to become the centre of attention.
The message from the new guidelines is consequently clear: police personnel should focus on their duty rather than the provocations around them. By staying composed and limiting unnecessary conversation, officers can reduce the possibility of confrontations turning into viral social-media moments.
The development underlines how policing is changing in the digital era. A protest is no longer confined to the street where it takes place. Images and videos can instantly travel across platforms, influencing public perception far beyond the original location.
For Delhi Police, the latest advisory is an attempt to ensure that its personnel remain professional, restrained and conscious of the cameras around them.