The Delhi government's Directorate of Education (DoE) has taken a firm legal stance against a wave of online misinformation, filing a formal complaint with the Delhi Police. The complaint seeks action against individuals spreading a fabricated narrative that the department issued an order directing school teachers to count stray dogs.
Director Denounces Claims as "False and Baseless"
Addressing the media, Veditha Reddy, Director of the Directorate of Education, categorically refuted the viral social media claims. She stated that the alleged notification is completely false, fabricated, and baseless. "No such order, instruction, circular or policy decision has ever been issued by the Directorate of Education requiring teachers to count dogs," Reddy emphasized. She clarified that teachers are solely engaged in academic responsibilities and labeled the false narrative as mischievous, directly harming the morale and dignity of the teaching community.
Misinformation Creates Panic, Leads to Impersonation
The director explained that the deliberate misinformation has sown confusion and panic among teachers, school staff, and parents. Alarmingly, she noted that some individuals were seen impersonating teachers and creating videos of themselves counting dogs to lend credibility to the false story. "This has created confusion and panic among teachers and school staff, misled the parents and the public at large," she said. The department has formally taken cognizance of the issue, documenting and preserving digital evidence, including posts and timelines from social media platforms.
Legal Action Under New Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
The formal police complaint addresses multiple serious offenses, including deliberate misinformation, impersonation, criminal defamation, and the coordinated amplification of false content. "Legal action will be pursued in accordance with the law and facts," Reddy asserted. The DoE has stated that the actions of the accused attract provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Sections 353(2) for defamation by publishing false statements harming the reputation of a public authority, and Section 196 for making and circulating statements conducing to public mischief and fear.
Reddy underscored the department's commitment, stating, "Teacher's dignity and student's safety are non-negotiable." She accused certain elements of creating false narratives to damage the credibility of the education department. The government has also shared a list of social media handles responsible for spreading the false information with the police as part of the evidence.
