The Delhi Police is attributing ongoing student protests in India to online misinformation campaigns operated from Pakistan, claiming to have identified and blocked over 400 social media handles involved in misleading the public.
In an official video statement, a Delhi Police representative stated that authorities noticed efforts to spread fake content and rumours surrounding the situation.
“So far, over 400 Pakistan-based social media handles have been identified that are taking advantage of this situation to spread fake content and rumors,” the official said.
“Action is being taken to block them. These are the same social media handles that were active during ‘Operation Sindoor’ as well. Their sole purpose is to incite people and particularly distract students.”
The official appealed to citizens to refrain from sharing unverified posts and edited videos, stating, “Fact-check any post before sharing it, do not spread rumors and do not let anti-social elements take control of your emotions. Remember that peaceful protest is your right, and the Delhi Police respects this right.”
Following the statement, the department turned off comments on its official digital channels as public criticism mounted online.
Netizens, journalists and social media users across both countries are rejecting the narrative, accusing authorities of deflecting accountability from domestic administrative issues onto external factors.
Indian journalist Rana Ayyub criticized the official statement, stating, “At this point there is no difference between the handles of Delhi Police and Republic News channel.”
Indian scholar Ashok Swain responded to the statement, stating, “As usual, if Modi’s fafda is not crispy, he will blame Pakistan!”
Pakistani journalist Rauf Klasra pointed out that the statement ignores the actual catalyst behind the student agitation, stating, “As usual real culprits are 480 Pakistanis who acc to Dehli Police fueled Indian students’ agitation not education minister Dharmendra Pradhan under whose ministry’s watch papers are leaked which actually triggered protests. Btw its equally heartening to note these “480 Pakistanis” have capacity to “misinform” millions of Indian students and public.”
Netizens expressed frustration over the narrative, with one user writing, “Please change the script sir,” while another remarked, “Students and youth protest → instant diagnosis: ‘Pakistan-sponsored.’ 480 handles blocked, press release ready, foreign hand theory activated within hours.”
One account also noted, “Fix your problems don’t put this on Pakistan,” with another user adding, “Finally, I’d like to thank the Delhi Police for blaming it on Pakistan. We were starting to worry that something could happen in India without Pakistan somehow being blamed. Thanks for proving us wrong.”
