Richa Chadha shares make-up ‘hack’ to evade facial recognition during anti-CEC protests

Bollywood actress Richa Chadha has shared a make-up tutorial purportedly offering a way to evade facial recognition during the ongoing protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protesters are seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Chadha shared the video on X on Sunday. She said many protestors were being filmed without consent.

“Dear protestors, since you’re being filmed without your consent, try using make-up to dodge surveillance/facial recognition cameras. Here’s a tutorial,” she wrote.

“Be safe, stay hydrated, stay strong. Girls, carry pepper spray. BULLIES ARE ALWAYS COWARDS, don’t forget. Stay peaceful, don’t be silent, don’t be violent,” she added.

Chadha had earlier shared another make-up tutorial video ahead of Saturday’s demonstration. “So many restrictions on the border and locomotives etc, means baahar wale people can’t come into the central part. But those who live in the city should go in large numbers. Carry water. Wear a mask, cap, shades… walk. (They’re counting on you NOT showing up. Prove them wrong). Ooh ! Don’t miss the make-up tutorial,” she wrote.

Chadha’s post came amid heightened security across the national capital. Several party leaders and activists were detained by the police. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after their flight landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

All India Students’ Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora was also detained while protesting at Dilli Haat in the INA area.

The protests continued on Sunday as well. A march of the Opposition parties to the Supreme Court is planned on Monday.