The Delhi government’s Directorate of Education (DoE) has lodged a formal complaint with the police seeking legal action over alleged misinformation circulating on social media regarding a circular appointing nodal officers for stray dog matters.
Veditha Reddy, director of the directorate of education, said in a press conference that the claims regarding the notification that teachers have been directed to count stray dogs are “false, fabricated and baseless”.
“It is categorically stated that this claim is completely false, fabricated and baseless. The Directorate of Education has never issued any such order, instruction, circular or policy decision requiring teachers to count dogs…Teachers are employed only for academic duties. The false story is totally harmful and directly damages the morale and dignity of teachers,” said Veditha Reddy.
Noting that “misinformation” had caused confusion and misled parents and teachers, she said some persons were impersonating teachers and counting dogs and making videos on social media.
She continued: “This has created confusion and panic among teachers and school staff, misled parents and the general public… Some people on social media are impersonating teachers and counting dogs, which is absolutely malicious. This issue has been formally taken note of. Digital evidence, posts and timelines have been documented and preserved. A formal complaint has also been lodged with the Delhi Police.”
“The complaint alleges deliberate misinformation, impersonation of teachers, criminal defamation, coordinated amplification, incitement and abuse of social media. Legal action will be taken in accordance with the law and facts and accountability will prevail over false narratives,” the DoE director said.
“The dignity of a teacher and the safety of a student are indisputable. False narratives are being created to create panic among teachers and damage the credibility of our department. A case of misuse of social media has been registered,” she said.
“We have collected digital evidence, posts and timelines. A formal complaint has been lodged with the Delhi Police,” she said.
The government also shared a list of social media sites that spread false information.
The DoE said the actions were covered by Sections 353(2) (defamation by publication of false statements damaging the reputation of a public authority and its officers) and 196 (making and dissemination of statements leading to public mischief and fear) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
