Malicious rumors can result in real violence. They have always existed but ever since smartphones and platforms like WhatsApp and Twitter became ubiquitous, the reach and speed and impact of such rumors has grown exponentially. The spate of lynchings over child-lifting rumours is a notable example from recent years.
For a city struggling to return to normalcy after communal rioting, malicious rumours threaten a relapse even as the embers are still smoldering. Yesterday Delhi was on the edge as rumours spread rapidly about renewed violence in different parts of the city. But police acted efficiently to put a lid on these rumours through social media posts and other measures.
After unconscionable failures during the largescale riots in northeast Delhi (which included instances of blatant collusion with rioters) this was a reminder of police capacity to deliver, when it is so minded. It was also a reminder that instead of draconian mobile and internet shutdowns, it is much better to defang fake news by creating awareness, swiftly debunking rumors, allowing mainstream media to report freely, instituting a culture of fact checks, police growing deeper roots in local communities and prosecuting culprits swiftly.
Finally, it is a reminder of the urgent need for police reforms, without which the independence and professionalism of the force remain tragically hobbled.
