Uttar Pradesh Police Target Social Media Accounts Spreading Misinformation About Maha Kumbh

Uttar Pradesh police have launched a significant crackdown on over 100 social media accounts for disseminating false information about the Maha Kumbh festival, one of Hinduism’s largest religious gatherings, following direct orders from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar, authorities have implemented an extensive action plan featuring 24-hour cyber surveillance of social media platforms. The operation involves both UP police personnel and specialized external agencies working around the clock to identify and counteract misinformation campaigns.

“We have established a 24×7 monitoring system for all social media platforms,” Kumar told reporters. “We urge the public to verify information through official Kumbh Mela police social media accounts and UP police fact-check portals before sharing any content.”

The operation has already yielded substantial results. Senior police officials confirmed that 10 formal cases have been registered while enforcement actions were taken against 101 individual accounts across various platforms. Legal proceedings have been initiated against all identified accounts spreading misleading content.

One particularly troubling case involved 26 social media accounts sharing a misleading video that falsely depicted casualties from an alleged stampede at the Maha Kumbh. Police investigations revealed that the footage actually showed a road accident that occurred in Pakistan’s Karak district on January 25, but was deliberately misrepresented to create panic and undermine the religious gathering.

The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, draws millions of pilgrims from across India and around the world to the banks of sacred rivers for ritual bathing. The event represents not only a significant religious occasion but also a massive logistical undertaking for Uttar Pradesh authorities, who must ensure the safety and security of attendees.

This enforcement action highlights growing concerns about the role of social media in spreading misinformation during major public events in India. Religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela have increasingly become targets for disinformation campaigns that can potentially trigger panic, communal tensions, or public safety issues if left unchecked.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s response reflects a broader national trend of authorities taking increasingly aggressive steps to combat online misinformation, particularly during events of national or religious significance. Similar initiatives have been implemented during elections and other mass gatherings across the country.

Digital rights experts note that while combating harmful misinformation is necessary, such operations require careful balancing to ensure legitimate expression isn’t suppressed. The line between harmful misinformation and protected speech can sometimes blur during large-scale enforcement actions.

For the Maha Kumbh organizers, maintaining accurate public information channels is crucial for both safety and logistical purposes. False claims of overcrowding, stampedes, or other emergencies can trigger real-world panic even when fabricated, potentially creating the very dangers they falsely report.

Authorities have confirmed that the monitoring operation will continue throughout the duration of the Maha Kumbh festival, with additional resources being deployed as needed. Officials emphasized that their focus remains on demonstrably false information that poses public safety risks, rather than opinion or commentary about the event.

The UP police have also appealed to social media users to exercise caution when sharing content related to the festival and to utilize official information channels for verified updates about the Maha Kumbh.