Uttar Pradesh Police Crack Down on Misinformation Campaign Targeting Maha Kumbh
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – In a concerted effort to combat the spread of fake news and misinformation surrounding the Maha Kumbh religious gathering, Uttar Pradesh Police have initiated legal proceedings against 101 social media accounts across ten separate cases. The crackdown follows a directive from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to safeguard the integrity of the mega event and prevent the dissemination of false narratives.
Under the guidance of Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar, a comprehensive cyber patrolling strategy has been implemented, involving continuous monitoring of social media platforms by Uttar Pradesh Police and specialized agencies. This proactive approach aims to identify and address fake posts, rumors, and cyber offenses related to the Maha Kumbh in real-time. The police action has targeted accounts spreading a variety of fabricated stories, ranging from misrepresented videos to outright false claims about stampedes and accidents.
One prominent instance involved a video originating from Pakistan’s Karak district in January 2025, falsely depicted as a stampede during the Maha Kumbh. The video, accompanied by a misleading song and narrative, falsely claimed that lives were being lost in the pursuit of religious cleansing. The Kumbh Mela administration and Uttar Pradesh Police swiftly debunked the claim, confirming the video’s true origin as a road accident in Pakistan caused by brake failure. The Kotwali Kumbh Mela Police registered an FIR against 26 accounts involved in spreading this fabricated narrative, aiming to hold accountable those attempting to incite fear and tarnish the event’s reputation.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. Since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh, authorities have identified a pattern of misinformation campaigns targeting the event. Multiple cases have been registered against accounts spreading fabricated stories, often utilizing out-of-context videos and misleading captions. These instances highlight a deliberate attempt to undermine the event and create unnecessary panic. The range of misinformation tactics employed underscores the need for continuous vigilance and robust countermeasures.
Specific examples of misinformation campaigns include a false portrayal of a fire safety mock drill as an actual fire incident, misleading claims regarding a Nepal-based video depicting grieving families, and false allegations of organ harvesting from victims of a non-existent stampede. Furthermore, videos from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, Ghazipur, Egypt, Bihar, and Champawat, Uttarakhand, have all been manipulated and misrepresented to create false narratives about violence, stampedes, and police brutality during the Maha Kumbh. The recurring nature of these incidents highlights the persistence of misinformation actors and the need for constant monitoring and rapid response.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have demonstrated their commitment to combating misinformation by taking swift and decisive action. From registering FIRs to actively engaging in fact-checking and public awareness campaigns, the police are working diligently to counter the spread of false narratives. DGP Prashant Kumar has emphasized the importance of the robust cyber monitoring plan, which operates around the clock to ensure the security and sanctity of the Maha Kumbh. This vigilance is crucial in maintaining public order and preventing the spread of harmful rumors that could jeopardize the safety and smooth conduct of the event.
Beyond law enforcement actions, public cooperation is equally crucial in curbing the spread of misinformation. The police have urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from sharing unverified information. They have emphasized the importance of verifying any news, images, or videos related to the Maha Kumbh through official fact-checking channels of the Kumbh Mela Police and Uttar Pradesh Police. This collaborative approach, combining police action with public awareness, is essential to effectively combatting misinformation and safeguarding the integrity of the Maha Kumbh.