The Uttar Pradesh Police has taken legal action against 53 social media accounts for spreading false and misleading information about Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. This action was taken after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered strict measures against fake news. According to senior officials, many misleading posts were identified, including old videos that were falsely linked to the event.
Strict Cyber Monitoring to Prevent Fake News
Director General of Police (DGP Prashant Kumar) stated that the police have developed a strategy to monitor social media platforms and take action against false posts. On February 13, cyber monitoring teams found two misleading videos that were falsely linked to Maha Kumbh:
- First Video: The video showed a fire in Egypt but was falsely claimed to be a bus stand fire at Maha Kumbh. The post stated that 40-50 vehicles were burnt, but investigations confirmed that the footage was from a pipeline fire in Cairo on July 14, 2020. The Uttar Pradesh Police and Kumbh Mela authorities officially denied this claim, and legal action was taken against the accounts responsible.
- Second Video: This video was from Patna, Bihar (November 2024) but was falsely shared as a Maha Kumbh incident. It claimed that religious individuals threw shoes at soldiers, but in reality, the video was from a Pushpa 2 film promotion event where a crowd acted inappropriately. Fifteen social media accounts were booked for trying to create communal tension.
More Fake News About Maha Kumbh
- On January 13, 2025, a social media account falsely claimed that a fire safety drill by the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service was an actual fire incident at Maha Kumbh.
- On February 2, seven accounts shared a video from Nepal, falsely linking it to a stampede at Maha Kumbh.
- On February 2, another account spread a fake rumor that people’s organs were being removed and their bodies were thrown into the river.
- On February 7, a Facebook account falsely described a crowd management effort as a stampede.
- On February 9, 14 accounts shared a video from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, falsely claiming that Uttar Pradesh Police was beating devotees searching for missing relatives.
- On February 12, seven accounts posted a 2021 video from Ghazipur, falsely claiming that stampede victims’ bodies were floating in the Ganges.
24/7 Cyber Monitoring to Prevent Fake News
To ensure Maha Kumbh’s safety, the Uttar Pradesh Police has launched a 24-hour cyber monitoring system to detect and counter false information. Identified social media accounts are facing legal action, and authorities are working with social media platforms to find those responsible.
DGP Prashant Kumar urged citizens to verify facts before sharing any online content. Spreading false information can lead to legal consequences.
50 Crore Devotees Have Visited Maha Kumbh 2025
Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, has welcomed nearly 50 crore devotees at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. This sacred event, held once every 12 years, began on January 13 and will continue until February 26, 2025.
