Protest demonstrations are often observed in Jantar Mantar Square in Delhi. However, one 27-year-old IT specialist created a game based on these demonstrations, where players can act either as protesters or as Delhi police officers.
A video of this game is rapidly spreading across social media, eliciting various humorous reactions from people. The game is titled 'Jantar Mantar Chalo.'
The feature of this game is that it offers the player two choices. The first option allows the player to join the crowd of protesters, gather people, and conduct a sit-in strike at Jantar Mantar. The second option gives the ability to take on the role of a Delhi police officer and obstruct the protesters' advance.
At the beginning of the game, the user is required to enter a name, which can be fictional instead of real. After this, the player decides which role they want to play. If the player chooses the role of an 'andawlankari' (protester), their task is to unite people, increase the crowd size, and reach Jantar Mantar. If they choose the role of a Delhi police officer, their goal is to stop the column of protesters. The instructions in the game also include elements such as dispersing the crowd with batons and putting leaders in a bus.
Thus, in the game, one side tries to reach the demonstration site while avoiding the police, whereas players controlling the police are busy stopping them.
The game 'Jantar Mantar Chalo' was developed by an IT specialist named Suraj Kushwah. According to Indian Express, he hails from Bareli in Uttar Pradesh state and is known on social media by the nickname 'bugswriter'. Furthermore, he maintains a YouTube channel dedicated to Linux.
Suraj created this game during a period when the possibility of holding protests and accessing Jantar Mantar in Delhi was actively being discussed. The game was inspired by recent events related to the protests and the demand for 'Jantar Mantar 2.0.'
Suraj Kushwah presented the game through an Instagram reel. Following this, users began sharing the video actively, and many social media influencers helped spread it. Soon, the game attracted widespread public attention.
This game can be played in an online multiplayer mode, allowing players to play together with others. The game is available on the website mantarjantar.com.
After the game went viral, diverse feedback appeared on social media. Some users found the idea amusing, while others suggested adding new options. One user jokingly wrote that they got the Jantar Mantar protest simulator before GTA 6. Another noted that it was the strangest thing they had seen that day. A third user stated that, playing as a police officer, they would let all protesters pass.
Currently, 'Jantar Mantar Chalo' is attracting attention due to its original concept and viral videos. It is a satirical game that allows players to experience the participation in protests and the work of the police in a gaming format.