The Delhi government has formally rejected viral social media claims that government school teachers were instructed to count stray dogs on city streets. In a press conference, Sushil Singh, Director of the Directorate of Information and Publicity, described the narrative as fabricated and said the education department has lodged a police complaint to ensure a full investigation.
Investigation into Delhi teachers dog counting claim
Singh said the posts misrepresented a routine departmental circular and presented it as an official directive ordering teachers to carry out dog counts. “No such instruction was ever issued by the department,” he said. The viral material consisted of a mixture of genuine footage and clips generated by artificial intelligence that falsely portrayed individuals as teachers performing counts.
The confusion began when a video was shared from the official social media account of the Aam Aadmi Party showing people who appeared to be educators standing by the road. Opponents alleged that the state government had requisitioned teachers for street duties. Singh stressed that while some of the clips circulate from real events, others have been edited or created to mislead viewers.
Officials said the misinformation harmed the reputation of teachers and eroded public trust in the education department. “This was not ordinary political criticism,” Singh said. “It deliberately misled parents, teachers and citizens, undermining the department’s institutional credibility and provoking unnecessary public anger.”
The government has asked the police to examine whether the posts amount to a coordinated attempt to misinform the public and to identify individuals who amplified the content on social platforms. Once the inquiry is complete, authorities indicated they will pursue legal measures against those found responsible.
Experts on misinformation note that social media makes it easy for altered or AI-generated material to blend with authentic footage. Such content can spread rapidly, often before fact-checking can take place. This case highlights the challenge faced by public institutions in responding swiftly to protect their staff and correct the record.
Teachers’ unions in Delhi welcomed the clarification and called for greater safeguards to prevent their members being targeted in online campaigns. Union representatives said false narratives can jeopardise the safety and morale of school staff and distract from educational priorities.
The education department has reiterated that any official assignment for teachers would be communicated through formal channels, such as written orders or authenticated circulars. Parents have been urged to rely on official statements and avoid sharing unverified footage.
As the police proceed with their inquiry, the government’s public statement aims to contain the fallout and reassure citizens that no directive existed to deploy teachers for counting stray dogs. The case will be watched closely as an example of how public bodies and law enforcement address the spread of deceptive content in the digital age.
Key Takeaways:
- Delhi government says viral videos claiming teachers were ordered to count stray dogs are false and partly AI-generated.
- Director Sushil Singh confirmed no such educational department directive was issued and a police complaint has been filed.
- The misinformation damaged institutional credibility and caused public outrage; authorities promise strict action pending investigation.
- An AAP social media post showing teachers on the street sparked the controversy; some circulated clips are authentic while others are fabricated.
