"False News": Delhi Police On Posts Giving Communal Colour To Procession

After some social media users pointed to a procession taken out by a community and hinted at "preparation" for something ahead of the G20 Summit, the Delhi Police has debunked the posts as false news and warned against spreading such rumours. 

Reacting to videos of a Chehlum procession today, some social media handles pointed to religious slogans being chanted and, using objectionable language, wondered whether something was being planned ahead of the prestigious summit. 

Taking note of the posts, the Delhi Police handle posted on X, formerly Twitter, "FALSE NEWS: Some social media handles are wrongly projecting videos of Chehlum procession, as communal protest before G-20 Summit. The Chehlum procession is traditional one and carried out with due permissions from law enforcing agencies. Please do not spread rumors (sic)."

Chehlum is being observed by the Shia Muslim community today. It is observed on the 40th day after Muharram and commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

The Delhi Police had also issued a traffic advisory on Wednesday in view of the Chehlum procession and asked people to take the Metro on affected routes if possible. 

The G20 Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam, the revamped India Trade Promotion Organisation complex, at Pragati Maidan on Saturday and Sunday. Traffic restrictions will be put in place at 9 pm today and heavy, medium and light goods vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi till midnight on Sunday. The same restrictions will apply to taxis and autos from 5 am on Saturday. 

The summit will be the first time India will host such a powerful group of world leaders. The security cordon for the prestigious event will consist of thousands of personnel, including snipers. 

Indian Air Force fighter planes will be on standby and the airspace over the national capital will be monitored for all suspicious activity, including unmanned aerial vehicles and drones.