Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a firm message to those spreading fake news, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav has issued a strict warning against individuals misusing social media to damage the city's reputation.
He announced that anyone caught circulating misleading videos, photos or posts especially those from other cities falsely labelled as Indore will face legal action, including FIRs.
‘Those who share unrelated incidents from other cities and portray them as happening in Indore are betraying the city,’ Mayor Bhargav said, emphasising that no tolerance will be shown toward attempts to mislead the public or harm Indore’s image for the sake of likes and views.
He cited recent incidents where videos from other cities such as a traffic accident involving an auto-rickshaw and misleading visuals about Khajrana Bridge were wrongly shared as Indore-related content.
The mayor confirmed that instructions have been given to the police for filing complaints in such cases. ‘Indore is known for its cleanliness, discipline and positivity. Anyone who intentionally uploads fake videos or false information to malign the city’s image on social media will face strict legal consequences,’ Mayor Bhargav stated.
To curb the spread of misinformation, the Indore Municipal Corporation has now set up a dedicated social media monitoring team to keep a close watch on suspicious content.
If any misleading or fake post is detected, immediate FIRs will be filed against the responsible individuals. The mayor also urged residents to verify the authenticity of any video or image before sharing it online. ‘Spreading false information is not only a crime but also tarnishes the image of your own city,’ he said.