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How An Old Picture Of Rajiv Chowk Led To A Heated Debate On Delhi's Odd-Even Rule

Stop Sharing That Old Picture Of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station To Crib About Odd-Even Rule
Twitter

One dominant characteristic of social media is the herd mentality that it seems to encourage among its users. Often, content on social media is shared and outraged over without verification of its authenticity or relevance. That's exactly what happened on Monday--the fourth day of the implementation of the odd-even rule by the Delhi government.

While many tweeted saying that the roads are nearly empty given that only cars with even registration numbers could ply on the road, some shared pictures from overcrowded metro stations, in an indication that Kejriwal's policy has completely failed.

These two pictures of Rajiv Chowk metro station went viral.

Omg! Really? This was Rajiv Chowk metro station in the evening. pic.twitter.com/OwzGL6cXOU

— GauravProbirPramanik (@gauravpramanik) January 5, 2016

Rajiv Chowk Metro Station mein "HOUSEFULL" ka Board laga do..

#OddEven_का_रायताpic.twitter.com/1JcWjhPrRS

— Sudeepसुदीपسدیپ (@sudeepbose) January 4, 2016

Many journalists including Rajdeep Sardesai claimed that the station was witnessing a heavy rush while Pallavi Ghosh tweeted the picture too.

However, turns out the pictures were from last year--just ahead of Diwali.

This picture was taken on October 22, 2014. It has no connection to the #OddEven scheme https://t.co/soDDlySBg5

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) January 4, 2016

In reality, this is what Rajiv Chowk looked like:

Reality check at Rajiv chowk metro station. Pics clicked at 4.15 PM. pic.twitter.com/hoUQE0YBLo

— Ashutosh Mishra (@ashu3page) January 4, 2016

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that it was sad that old pictures of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station were being circulated just to demean the ambitious scheme of the Delhi Government. “Sad that old and false pictures of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station are being circulated,” Rai told a press conference.

But, you cannot stop social media once it's got a weapon in its hands. Even if the weapon is an old picture which doesn't represent the real situation.

So, Twitter went crazy trying to imagine a MORE crowded Rajiv Chowk.

Huge Crowd at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. People's hair and beard grown long while waiting to board train pic.twitter.com/xKSIbZllRp

— Joy (@Joydas) January 4, 2016

3.34 PM Update: Situation worsens at Rajiv Chowk metro station, Hardik patel waiting for a train to Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/7uP3aaDP58

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) January 4, 2016

Delhites feeling happy at Rajiv Chowk after metro arrived. pic.twitter.com/HnnDKmFFuu

— Odd Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) January 4, 2016

Whoa! At Rajiv Chowk , Crowd goes mad as one guy tried to escape. pic.twitter.com/atVpdNll4b

— Tempest (@ColdCigar) January 4, 2016

Rajiv Chowk as on 1:30 PM. Thoughts and prayers! pic.twitter.com/37z56SXqHj

— kafanchor neta (@prtxt) January 4, 2016

And then the trolls got into action. Whoever supported odd-even were spammed with more such fake pictures.

@bainjal

Proud of this?? pic.twitter.com/ZrtT2gTRt9

— Ajay Kalra (@AjayKalra2010) January 5, 2016

@_sabanaqvi@academic_dud

Have a look at chaos here. pic.twitter.com/TKQWPRtleI

— Karan Arora (@karan17831) January 5, 2016

Even though the odd-even formula may not have turned metro stations to battle grounds, it definitely has turned Twitter into one.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.