Government Directs Media to Limit Use of Civil Defence Sirens

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In light of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Union Government has issued an advisory to all media channels, urging them to restrict the use of civil defence air raid sirens to community awareness campaigns only. The directive emphasizes that these sirens should not be used for entertainment purposes or in any context that could cause unnecessary panic among the public.

The advisory was issued by the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It cites the Civil Defence Act, 1968, which empowers the government to regulate the use of such signals to ensure public safety and order. The government has called on media outlets to be responsible in their programming, especially during times of heightened national security concerns.

This move comes after a nationwide civil defence exercise, Operation Abhyaas, conducted on May 7, 2025, which involved the activation of air raid sirens across 244 districts in India. The exercise aimed to bolster civilian readiness against potential hostile threats and included activities such as blackout simulations and evacuation drills.

The government has urged media channels to cooperate in maintaining public calm and ensuring that emergency signals are used appropriately and exclusively for their intended purpose of public safety and awareness.