India: Satirical online games go viral amid youth protests

A new wave of web-based multiplayer games is gaining popularity in India as young citizens use digital satire to express political grievances. These games often focus on the challenges faced by protesters during demonstrations regarding jobs, exam leaks, and voter roll revisions.

One prominent game, ‘Jantar Mantar Chalo’, was created by IT professional Suraj Kushwah. The 3D game satirizes the difficulties of reaching the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi amidst police blockades, road closures, and public transport suspensions. Players can navigate processions, evade checkpoints, or even play the role of authorities using tear gas and batons.

Other developers are using retro 8-bit styles to depict activists, reflecting a shift in how the younger, social-media-savvy generation communicates dissent compared to traditional political styles. The trend emerges alongside the ‘cockroach’ youth movement and ongoing disputes regarding the Election Commission’s voter roll revisions.