The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police in Noida have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two national spokespersons of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Priyanka Bharti and Dr Kanchan Yadav, for allegedly sharing a misleading video on X (formerly Twitter).
Police claim that the video, which was originally recorded in Madhya Pradesh, was falsely circulated with captions suggesting it showed a workers’ protest in Noida. Authorities allege that the post contributed to confusion and could have disturbed public order amid ongoing tensions related to labour unrest in the region.
The FIR, filed following a complaint from the police Media Cell, is part of a wider set of cases linked to alleged misinformation and incitement during recent violence and protests in the industrial belt of Gautam Buddh Nagar.
FIR Against RJD Spokespersons
According to police officials, the FIR against Priyanka Bharti and Dr Kanchan Yadav was registered on Tuesday evening after a complaint was submitted by Sub-Inspector Susheel Kumar from the Media Cell of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate.
The complaint alleges that the two leaders shared a video on X that misrepresented the location and context of the footage. While the video was reportedly from Madhya Pradesh, it was allegedly circulated with claims linking it to a workers’ protest in Noida. Police have stated that such posts, especially when shared by public figures, have the potential to mislead large audiences and may contribute to unnecessary panic or tension in already sensitive situations.
Officials further claimed that the act could fall under provisions related to spreading misinformation and disrupting public peace. The FIR has been lodged as part of ongoing investigations into digital content that authorities believe may have played a role in escalating tensions during recent unrest.
While no arrests have been reported in connection with this specific case so far, the investigation remains ongoing, and police have indicated that further legal action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry and verification of digital evidence, including the origin and circulation pattern of the video in question.
Wider Social Media Crackdown
The FIR against the two RJD spokespersons is not an isolated development. According to police statements and reports from the district administration, authorities have registered multiple FIRs across several police stations in connection with violence and unrest that reportedly took place earlier in the week in parts of the industrial areas of Noida and Greater Noida. Officials have suggested that the unrest is linked to labour tensions, including disputes involving workers and industrial units, which escalated into protests and sporadic incidents of violence.
In the aftermath, law enforcement agencies have increased monitoring of social media platforms, stating that they are actively tracking posts that could be interpreted as inciting unrest or spreading unverified claims. Reports indicate that dozens, and in some accounts over a hundred individuals, have been either named or identified in connection with allegedly circulating provocative or misleading content online.
Authorities have also emphasised that a significant part of the current response involves digital surveillance, fact-checking of viral content, and coordination with cybercrime units to trace the origin of posts that may have contributed to misinformation during a sensitive law and order situation.
At the same time, officials have maintained that their objective is to prevent further escalation of tensions and ensure that rumours do not worsen an already volatile environment. The situation has also highlighted the growing role of social media in shaping public perception during protests, particularly in industrial regions where labour-related disputes can quickly escalate if misinformation spreads unchecked.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident raises important and timely questions about the intersection of digital responsibility, political expression, and state response in moments of public tension. On one hand, the rapid spread of misinformation online can have real-world consequences, particularly when content is decontextualised or misrepresented during sensitive situations such as labour unrest.
On the other hand, it is equally important that responses to misinformation remain proportionate, transparent, and grounded in due process. In a democratic society, the right to free expression and political critique must be protected, even while addressing the harms caused by false or misleading information. There is a delicate balance to be maintained between preventing the spread of rumours and avoiding the chilling of legitimate speech or dissent.
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