Delhi protest turns into viral online game as youths dodge police in digital arena
A 27-year-old IT professional created a satirical browser game that lets players join either protesters or Delhi Police, mirroring the ongoing demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Suraj Kushwah, a 27-year-old DevOps engineer at oneplay.in who streams under the name “bugswriter,” developed a browser-based video game called Jantar Mantar Chalo to lampoon one outlet protests targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The game lets users choose between the demonstrators, called Andolankaris, and the Delhi Police, using a core mechanic similar to the popular multiplayer title Slither, where the size of each side determines its power.
Kushwah shared a short reel of the gameplay on Instagram, which quickly spread through influencers, pushing the live player count above 1,500. The experience includes satirical news tickers and random encounters with media crews that can either recruit new participants or cause crowd attrition, reflecting the unpredictable nature of real-world protests. Kushwah predicted the viral potential of the game before its launch, and the digital version now serves as both entertainment and a pointed commentary on the logistical challenges of modern public assembly.
Why it matters
The game shows how digital tools can amplify and critique real-world protests, influencing public perception and engagement.
How this story developed
- Oct 12 Delhi removes Jantar Mantar as protest site, designates three new venues
- Oct 14 CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained near Jantar Mantar after the police announced its denotification.
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