‘Don’t Become Villains’: Fresh Advisory to Delhi Police on Protest Handling

A central agency has issued fresh guidelines to Delhi Police personnel, advising them to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid provocation while handling protests, police sources said on Sunday. The directions come against the backdrop of allegations of police excesses during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar last month.

The advisory warns personnel that their anger could be used by protesters to portray them negatively. “Your anger is their satisfaction and content for them to portray you as villains,” the guidelines state, urging officers to remain conscious that their conduct is likely to be recorded and scrutinised.

A senior police officer said the instructions were intended to ensure professionalism and restraint during crowd-management duties. Similar directions were issued to personnel deployed during the CJP protest, where several videos showing verbal exchanges between police and protesters were circulated widely on social media.

Personnel have been advised to assume that every action and reaction is being recorded on mobile phones. They have been told to avoid unnecessary conversations and not respond to taunts, questions, emotional appeals, songs, dances, placards, mock salutes or other attempts to provoke them.

Officers have also been instructed not to react aggressively by pushing away phones, snatching objects, shouting or engaging in physical confrontation unless required in the course of duty. When interaction is unavoidable, they should simply ask protesters to cooperate and otherwise maintain silence.

The guidelines further stress respectful language and professional body language, while cautioning personnel against accepting flowers, food or other items from women protesters.

At the same time, the advisory makes clear that maintaining law and order must not compromise public safety. Police have been directed to assist protesters who fall ill or sustain injuries and ensure unobstructed movement for ambulances, schoolchildren and elderly people.

The directions also apply to personnel in district, railway and metro units, who have been asked to remain particularly mindful of their conduct in public spaces.