Religious leaders urged to help maintain peace by Police

With the idea of curbing the growing menace of hate being spread through social networking sites, the Mumbai police recently held a meeting with all the heads of religions in the city. At the meeting, the various techniques used by the police to block and track objectionable content posted on social media were explained.

Madhukar Pandey, additional commissioner of police (central region), who met heads of religions, stressed that they should play a larger role in helping the police maintain law and order in the city. He also explained how the police dealt with posts appearing on social media that are derogatory in nature and could flare up communal tensions.
Pandey, confirming the meeting, said: "All the heads of religions participated in the meeting and we stressed the need for maintaining peace in the city. Heads of religions have far more reach into the society than us, and we expect them to advise their people not to fall prey to derogatory posts and resort to violence."

At the meeting, he also stressed the need for people approaching the local police when they come across some derogatory or religiously-sensitive posts on websites. Pandey said that the Mumbai police had social media laboratories which would immediately swing into action and block offensive posts.
"We have, to date, blocked 120 posts which we thought could flare up tension in the city. By giving heads of religions such details, we are trying to gain their trust, which would ensure law and order in the city."