New Delhi: After controversial videos of Delhi Police during the protests at Jantar Mantar went viral, it has come up with new set of guidelines as to how the personnel must behave in public.
Previously, their actions and reactions had been caught on camera. The Delhi Police has asked its personnel to avoid engaging with the protesters or respond to their questions or emotional appeals, the Indian Express reported. According to a Hindustan Times report, the cops have been told not to play the role of a villain in ‘their film’. “Your angry face is their content,” the cops said.
The guidelines have cautioned 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,” it states.
The cops have been asked not to hold any conversation. They have been asked to respond when necessary by saying, “Please cooperate, we are doing our duty”. Or else, the personnel must “maintain silence”.
During the NEET-UG paper leak protests held at Jantar Mantar, GenZ protesters could be seen filming the police officers. These went viral on social media.
“A calm face gives them nothing, and police personnel are trained to have been asked not to say anything in such situations,” the guideline, as cited in the report states.