A series of viral social media videos falsely claiming that a mosque was being demolished sparked unrest in Old Delhi’s Turkman Gate area during an anti‑encroachment operation early Wednesday, police and civic authorities said. The situation escalated when some individuals retreated from the official facts and began circulating incendiary footage urging residents to gather and protect the mosque, police said.
What Happened During the Demolition Drive
In the early hours of Wednesday around 1 a.m., the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), acting on a Delhi High Court order, launched an anti‑encroachment operation close to the Syed Faiz‑e‑Elahi mosque near Ramlila Maidan.
The operation aimed to clear illegal structures including a banquet hall, dispensary and shops on public land adjacent to the mosque, not to damage the mosque itself, authorities said.
However, tension quickly grew as videos circulated on social platforms showed people shouting exaggerated claims that the mosque was being demolished. These clips included vocal calls urging residents to “wake up” and assemble outside the religious place. Police said these claims were false and misleading, and intended to incite fear and unrest.
Violence and Police Response
Following the spread of the viral clips, a group of individuals gathered near the site. Some protesters allegedly pelted stones and glass bottles at police and municipal staff involved in the operation, injuring several officers. Security forces used tear gas to restore order, and police have since detained at least five people connected with the clashes, authorities reported.
Police confirmed that the mosque structure itself was not damaged during the operation, emphasising that the demolition was limited to unauthorised encroachments on public land.
Misleading Videos and Social Media Spread
Investigators are probing several videos and audio messages that were shared widely before and during the operation, which carried claims that bulldozers were being deployed to destroy the mosque and urged people to join quickly. Police officials said these videos contributed significantly to the unrest and mobilisation of people.
In at least one case, the Delhi Police identified a suspected creator of one of the viral inciting clips and are examining whether the messages were part of a planned attempt to provoke communal tension.
Authorities have stepped up monitoring of social media and messaging platforms to track and counter such misinformation. A police social media cell has been activated to identify accounts and content responsible for spreading false narratives.
Official Statements and Law and Order
Senior police officers reiterated that the operation was conducted strictly on the basis of court orders to remove illegal encroachments and reassured residents that the mosque remains untouched and intact. Officials also noted that CCTV footage and body camera recordings were being used to trace those involved in instigating violence or spreading false claims.
The police have registered cases under relevant sections of law relating to public disorder and are conducting further investigations into possible conspiracy angles and incitement.
Local Reaction and Context
The demolition drive around the historic mosque area — one of Delhi’s older neighbourhoods — came amid long‑standing issues around encroachment on public land. While civic authorities said the mosque itself was never targeted, the misinformation quickly inflamed anxiety in a densely populated locality where religious sentiments run deep.
Eyewitness accounts and on‑ground media reports highlighted how quickly the narrative shifted online from an anti‑encroachment drive to perceived threat against a religious site, demonstrating the power of viral social media content to influence public perception, often inaccurately.
Conclusion
The incident at Turkman Gate underscores the impact that misleading online videos can have on communal harmony and public safety, especially in sensitive urban settings. Police and civic agencies are working to clarify facts, maintain order, and hold accountable those responsible for spreading false and inflammatory content. Authorities urged citizens to verify information through official channels before responding to or sharing unverified footage.
