A web-based multiplayer game that simulates dodging police and avoiding detention on the way to a protest site in New Delhi has gained rapid popularity among young Indians. The game, which blends satire with political commentary, reflects a broader trend of youth using digital media to express dissent amid ongoing protests across the country.
The game, titled "Jantar Mantar Chalo," was created by 27-year-old IT professional Suraj Kushwah and launched on October 14. It casts players in the role of protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, a prominent protest location in the Indian capital. The gameplay involves navigating police blockades, road closures, and public transport shutdowns, while building a procession and staging demonstrations. Players also have the option to assume the role of authorities by deploying batons and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Kushwah described the game as “dark humour” inspired by the real-life challenges protesters face. “Whatever news was coming was kind of like a circus,” he said, noting that people attempting to join protests were frequently detained. Since its release, the game has attracted about 2,000 concurrent players.
Another similar digital project features firebrand left-wing activist Neha Bora as the main character in an 8-bit-style platform game, reminiscent of early arcade games. This title was developed by siblings Anav and Akshay Nayar, with Anav emphasizing the role of satire as a powerful tool for political expression. “We as artists believe that satire is the most powerful way to talk about things,” he said.
These games emerged in the context of a series of youth-led protests sparked by various grievances, including job scarcity, exam paper leaks, and voter roll revisions conducted by India’s Election Commission. Opposition parties and activists have criticized the voter roll revisions, alleging that approximately 130 million eligible voters have been disenfranchised, a claim denied by both the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The protests also drew inspiration from the “cockroach” youth movement, which started as an online joke before evolving into a serious challenge to the government’s stance. The movement notably contributed to the resignation of Modi’s education minister in July.
Prime Minister Modi has responded to the shift in youth engagement by increasing efforts to connect with younger Indians, including posting self-recorded videos on Instagram. However, political analysts suggest this approach may fall short. Rasheed Kidwai, a political analyst, remarked that while the BJP has traditionally maintained dominance in shaping narratives both online and offline, the current generation of young Indians is contesting that control more effectively than before.
The rise of these politically charged online games marks a notable development in how activism and political discourse are evolving in India’s digital age. Through humor and interactive media, young protesters continue to adapt their methods of dissent in the face of increasing state restrictions and challenges.