Delhi Police has rejected viral social media claims alleging that a 12-year-old girl named Geetanjali and dozens of protesters suffered serious injuries during Monday’s “Sansad Chalo” march led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), calling the posts “false and misleading”.
In an official statement shared through its verified social media handles, the force urged people not to circulate unverified information, saying the claims did not reflect established facts.
The clarification follows widespread online posts alleging that a young girl had sustained a fractured skull, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali had been assaulted by police, and between 40 and 50 protesters had suffered severe injuries during clashes near Parliament.
While Delhi Police has denied these specific allegations, protest organisers continue to accuse the force of using excessive force against demonstrators. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reportedly sought a report over complaints concerning the alleged injury of a child during the protest, even as officials stress that the inquiry is a fact-finding exercise and not confirmation of the viral claims.
With investigations continuing and competing versions of events circulating online, authorities have appealed to citizens to rely on verified information rather than unconfirmed social media posts.
Police, Protesters Offer Divergent Accounts
The controversy erupted after thousands of protesters participated in the CJP-led “Sansad Chalo” march, one of the largest demonstrations organised by the group in recent weeks. The protest, which followed a sustained campaign over alleged examination paper leaks and broader governance issues, witnessed confrontations after demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament amid heavy security arrangements.
Videos showing baton charges, tear gas, damaged barricades and chaotic scenes spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing millions of views within hours. Alongside authentic footage from the protest, however, several posts carried unverified claims about the number of injured protesters and the severity of their injuries.
Among the most widely circulated allegations were that a 12-year-old girl named Geetanjali had suffered a fractured skull, Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali had been assaulted during the confrontation, dozens of protesters required emergency medical treatment, and police had deliberately targeted women and children. Delhi Police has categorically disputed these claims, stating that they are “false and misleading” and urging people to refrain from sharing content that has not been independently verified.
While issuing its clarification, Delhi Police maintained that officers acted after protesters attempted to breach security arrangements and that violence, including alleged stone-pelting, disrupted what had initially been a controlled demonstration.
The force has also stated that several police personnel sustained injuries during the clashes. On the other hand, CJP leaders have alleged that protesters were subjected to disproportionate force, accusing police of attacking demonstrators, damaging vehicles carrying movement leaders and public figures, and using unnecessary violence to disperse the crowd.
The organisation has released photographs and videos that it says document police action against protesters, although many of the accompanying claims remain independently unverified. The conflicting accounts have transformed the incident into an information battle as much as a law-and-order issue.
In its advisory, Delhi Police appealed to social media users to verify information before forwarding it, warning that misinformation can increase public anxiety, inflame tensions and complicate ongoing investigations. The official fact-check reflects growing concern among authorities about how quickly unverified narratives can spread during fast-moving public events.
Online Misinformation Clouds Protest Narrative
The events surrounding Monday’s march highlight the increasingly complex relationship between protests, digital platforms and public perception. As videos and eyewitness accounts circulated online, authentic footage became interspersed with exaggerated captions, unverified casualty figures and conflicting descriptions of what had transpired.
In such situations, the speed of social media often outpaces official verification, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between confirmed facts, personal testimony and misinformation.
The allegation involving a 12-year-old girl has also drawn institutional attention. Reports indicate that the National Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the authorities regarding complaints that a child may have been injured during the protest.
Importantly, the Commission’s decision to seek information should not be interpreted as confirmation that the allegations are true. Rather, it is a routine procedural step aimed at gathering facts whenever allegations involving minors or potential use of excessive force emerge during public demonstrations.
Monday’s confrontation is part of a broader protest movement that has grown significantly in recent weeks. The CJP’s campaign initially centred on demands for accountability over alleged examination paper leaks and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The movement gained wider national attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk extended support through a hunger strike, drawing participation from activists, students and civil society groups. The “Sansad Chalo” march represented one of the campaign’s largest mobilisations, resulting in clashes, detentions and sharply contrasting narratives about police conduct.
As of now, certain facts remain verified while others continue to be disputed. It is confirmed that clashes took place during the protest, that injuries and detentions were reported, and that Delhi Police has officially rejected the viral claims regarding the alleged severe injuries to Geetanjali and dozens of protesters.
However, the precise number of injured people, the extent of injuries allegedly suffered by individuals featured in viral posts, and competing allegations regarding responsibility for the violence have not been independently established. With official inquiries underway, authorities continue to urge the public to rely on verified updates rather than viral content circulating on social media.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
In moments of public confrontation, facts matter more than speed. Protests are an essential part of a democratic society, just as transparency and accountability are essential responsibilities of state institutions. At the same time, the rapid spread of unverified claims whether they support or oppose a particular side can deepen mistrust, inflame public sentiment and make it harder for genuine victims to receive justice.
Every allegation of excessive force deserves a fair, impartial investigation, and every official denial should be examined through transparent processes rather than accepted or rejected solely on political lines. Institutions such as the NHRC play an important role in ensuring that competing claims are independently scrutinised, while journalists, public authorities and citizens share a collective responsibility to verify information before amplifying it.
Also read: ‘I Could Have Done Better’: Abhijeet Dipke Apologises After Delhi Police Crackdown on Protest
