Amid Gyanesh Kumar Resignation Protests, Centre Raises Alarm Over Fake and Manipulated Posts

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has advised major social media platforms to prioritise action against unlawful online content linked to ongoing protests, following complaints from authorised government bodies, including law enforcement agencies. The advisory, issued on October 8, 2026, raises concerns about the circulation of false, misleading, manipulated and out-of-context information that could affect public order and potentially incite violence.

The move comes amid protests in Delhi and other parts of the country demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. However, the advisory refers broadly to ongoing public events and developments rather than naming a particular protest or political organisation. CJP Protest Violence: Delhi Crime Branch Examines Premeditated Attack, Role of 2,873 Suspects Under Scanner.

MeitY Flags Misleading Social Media Posts Amid Protests

According to officials familiar with the development, the ministry has expressed concern that misleading information circulating online in connection with protests could create confusion, disturb social tranquillity and lead to law-and-order problems. The government has asked large social media platforms to identify unlawful content and give priority to complaints received from authorised government agencies. The stated objective is to prevent the spread of information that could contribute to public disorder or incite violence during sensitive public events.

Government Asks Platforms to Scrutinise Manipulated Content

The advisory calls for greater scrutiny of false, misleading, manipulated or out-of-context material being circulated online. This includes old photographs and videos presented as current events, digitally altered or AI-generated audio-visual material, and content involving impersonation of public authorities or individuals.

Platforms have also been advised to label or provide context for manipulated, synthetically generated or misleading content, particularly when it is presented as authentic footage or information about ongoing events. The ministry has further emphasised compliance with the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Advisory Comes Amid Protests Over Chief Election Commissioner

The advisory comes at a time when protests have intensified over demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Demonstrations have been linked to opposition concerns surrounding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders and protesters have raised concerns about the voter-list revision exercise, while the protests have also drawn attention to the circulation of videos and claims about police action and demonstrations on social media. Bajrang Dal To Mobilise 5 Lakh Hindu Activists at Jantar Mantar on October 10? Here’s the Truth.

The government’s latest advisory focuses on unlawful online material and the potential risks posed by misinformation during public events. It does not, however, identify a specific protest as the sole reason for the directive.

Social Media Platforms Asked to Cooperate With Authorities

MeitY has called on platforms to act on complaints from authorised agencies and cooperate with law enforcement in accordance with applicable legal requirements. The advisory reinforces the responsibilities of intermediaries under India's existing IT framework. The move highlights the government's focus on tackling misleading and manipulated online content during protests, when unverified claims or old footage presented as current can complicate the assessment of events and raise public-order concerns.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2026 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).