The answer to this propaganda is not far fetch. Instead of down voting someone, why not drop a correctional comment for such fellow. It is possible that the person hasn't fully understood the rules. This will call the attention of such person to order.
Then after this warning or attention via comment, if the fellow continue to deviate from the rule, then down vote may be applied.

I was victim of down voting in my first post. Some person gave me a directory comment and I was happy that someone could correct me with love,. Where I got a down vote with bad comment by some other person. I was sad. But I was actually comforted by former comment.
I think the senior persons on this platform should look at this well.

Thank you