Mahakumbh 2025: Uttar Pradesh Police Combats Disinformation Campaign Targeting Sacred Gathering
The Mahakumbh 2025, a globally renowned religious and cultural event of immense significance to the Sanatan Dharma, is currently underway, drawing millions of devotees from around the world. While the event has garnered widespread praise and admiration, a concerted effort by certain elements to tarnish its image through the dissemination of fake videos and misleading news on social media platforms has prompted a swift and decisive response from the Uttar Pradesh Police. Under the direction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, authorities have implemented a robust monitoring system and initiated legal action against individuals and accounts engaged in spreading disinformation.
The Uttar Pradesh Police’s proactive approach to combating this malicious online campaign has resulted in the identification and subsequent action against over 50 social media accounts involved in propagating falsehoods related to the Mahakumbh. Two recent incidents exemplify the nature of these misleading narratives. A video falsely depicting a massive fire at the Mahakumbh bus stand, actually footage from a 2020 oil pipeline accident in Egypt, was circulated online. Similarly, another video misrepresented a chaotic scene from a film production in Patna as an incident of "nationalist people throwing slippers at army jawans in Kumbh." These fabricated narratives, designed to sow discord and undermine the peaceful atmosphere of the event, were swiftly debunked by the police, who promptly filed FIRs and initiated legal proceedings against the responsible accounts.
The Uttar Pradesh Police’s cybercrime unit has identified and taken action against numerous social media accounts involved in disseminating these misleading videos. Among those spreading the false fire incident narrative were accounts across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Similarly, accounts on X and Facebook were implicated in propagating the fabricated incident involving army personnel. This meticulous identification and swift action underscore the police’s commitment to curbing the spread of disinformation and maintaining the sanctity of the Mahakumbh.
The disinformation campaign targeting Mahakumbh 2025 has been ongoing for several months. The Uttar Pradesh Police has consistently addressed various incidents of fabricated videos and misleading posts aimed at creating a negative perception of the event. These incidents have included a mock fire drill video falsely presented as an actual fire, an old video from Nepal misrepresented as a stampede at Mahakumbh, and misconstrued images of a large crowd falsely portrayed as another stampede. Furthermore, an incident in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, and images of deceased individuals from Ghazipur in 2021 were also falsely linked to the Mahakumbh in attempts to discredit the event.
In response to this sustained disinformation campaign, the Uttar Pradesh Police has implemented a comprehensive cyber security strategy specifically designed to safeguard the Mahakumbh 2025. This strategy involves continuous monitoring of social media platforms by a dedicated cyber patrol team, ensuring rapid identification and counteraction against misleading posts. The police have shown a commitment to swiftly registering FIRs against individuals involved in rumour-mongering and are actively collaborating with social media professionals to effectively address misinformation. This proactive approach demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to maintaining the integrity and peaceful atmosphere of the Mahakumbh.
State Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar has appealed to the public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of information before sharing it on social media. He emphasized the severity of spreading rumours and reiterated the police’s commitment to taking strict legal action against those who engage in such activities. This appeal underscores the importance of responsible social media usage and the collective responsibility in ensuring the sanctity of the Mahakumbh Mela remains untarnished by malicious disinformation campaigns. The Uttar Pradesh Police’s proactive measures and their appeal for public vigilance demonstrate a determined effort to protect the integrity of this significant religious and cultural event.