Students Debunk Misinformation on Jantar Mantar Protest Videos

Days after the 36-day protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) officially ended, students have returned to Jantar Mantar—not to reignite demonstrations, but to challenge viral social media posts falsely claiming the protests are ongoing. Instagram is awash with videos purporting to show fresh clashes between students and police, but representatives of student organisations say these clips are misleading and damaging to their cause.

Viral Videos Fuel Confusion

Several of the viral posts carry timestamps from July 30, July 31, and August 1, suggesting recent activity at the protest site. One video, labelled as a 6 a.m. update on August 1, has garnered over 2.8 million views, while another claiming to be from July 31 has reached 1.9 million views. These clips have sparked widespread speculation online, with tens of thousands of viewers engaging with similar posts.

Efforts to Debunk Misinformation

To counter the fabricated narrative, student representatives have visited Jantar Mantar to investigate the claims. They spoke to local vendors, student organisations, and media personnel, who confirmed that no protests have occurred since July 28. Police officials have also dismissed the claims as baseless. Bhim Kumar, a representative of the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), stated, “These videos are misleading people into believing demonstrations are still continuing. They are also weakening our cause.”

Students have gone a step further by approaching those managing CCTV cameras in the area to verify the absence of gatherings. While no evidence of fresh protests has been found, representatives plan to discuss the issue with other student organisations before filing a formal complaint with the police against the social media accounts spreading misinformation.

Movement Shifts to Outreach

Though the street protests have ended, student leaders say the movement is far from over. Mudita, a participant in the 36-day agitation, explained that efforts have shifted to outreach, focusing on systemic issues in the education system. “The protest was never only about seeking the Minister’s resignation; it was about addressing deeper structural issues,” she said. Students are also working to provide legal assistance to protesters facing FIRs in various States.

Impact on Local Businesses

The misinformation has had unintended consequences for traders around Jantar Mantar. Many report a sharp decline in business as visitors avoid the area, mistakenly believing the protests are ongoing. Dharmender, who runs a decades-old sweet shop near the site, said, “Business has dropped sharply over the past week because visitors are staying away.” Sunny, a juice stall owner, noted that while footfall is slowly recovering, it remains below normal levels.

Heavy Security Persists

Despite the absence of active protests, security remains tight along the stretch from Patel Chowk Metro station to Jantar Mantar. Personnel from the Delhi Police, Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are stationed along the route, with police buses and patrol vehicles visible every few metres. Workers were seen repainting barricades outside the protest site as students and visitors passed through the area.

The students’ efforts to counter misinformation highlight the challenges faced by movements in the digital age, where viral posts can distort public perception and undermine causes. With plans to escalate the matter legally, the battle against fake news continues.

Source: The Hindu