Protesters hold rally in support of Delhi Police amid outrage over ‘Maoist slogans’

A group of people assembled at the India Gate in solidarity with the Delhi police on Tuesday, a day after 22 people were arrested for allegedly shouting pro-Maoist slogans during a protest march against rising air pollution in the national capital.

The pro-police protesters shouted slogans demanding strict action against those who allegedly hailed slain Maoist leader Madvi Hidma during Sunday’s protest at the same site.

Videos of the Sunday protest circulated online allegedly showed a group praising Hidma. Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra on Monday claimed the demonstration was misused to glorify the Maoist leader killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh earlier this month. Posting a video on X, Mr. Mishra alleged that “jihadis and naxalites have a new mask, becoming social activists” .

The police on Tuesday invoked the offence of “imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration” in one of the two FIRs registered against the arrested protesters, who were also accused of using pepper spray on police personnel. This new charge, under Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), covers the dissemination of false information that could endanger India’s sovereignty, unity, or security.

“At present all 22 have been booked under the same Sections of the BNS. It is only when the chargesheet is prepared that the charges will be associated to those who were carrying such posters or raising such slogans,” an officer said.

Foul air

The city’s overall air quality, meanwhile, remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Tuesday and is unlikely to change for at least the next three days, according to official data.

Officials said District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners of Police and local bodies are ensuring that 50% of staff in all Delhi offices work from home. Existing enforcement teams drawn from various agencies will also implement the work-from-home directive issued by the government on Monday.