The Delhi Police on Thursday issued a warning against spreading false news and rumors on social media, following some posts that portrayed a religious procession as a protest ahead of the G20 Summit.
The posts in question were reacting to videos of a Chehlum procession, a traditional event observed by the Shia Muslim community.
Some social media users claimed that religious slogans were being chanted during the procession and portrayed it as a “communal protest”, according to the Delhi Police.
In response, the Delhi Police took to social media to debunk these claims.
“FALSE NEWS: Some social media handles are wrongly projecting videos of Chehlum procession, as communal protest before G-20 Summit. The Chehlum procession is a traditional one and carried out with due permissions from law enforcing agencies. Please do not spread rumors,” the police posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Chehlum, observed today, marks the 40th day after Muharram and commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. It is a significant event for the Shia Muslim community and is observed with religious reverence.
In anticipation of the religious procession, the Delhi Police had issued a traffic advisory on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the G20 Summit, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam, the revamped India Trade Promotion Organisation complex, at Pragati Maidan on Saturday and Sunday. The Delhi Police has assured that all necessary security measures are in place for the smooth conduct of the summit.
