Key facts
- Indian police used tear gas and batons against protesters in Delhi.
- Protesters documented the crackdown using social media, particularly Instagram reels and memes.
- Humorous content, including 'fit checks' and sardonic commentary on tear gas, was widely shared.
- Experts suggest this online expression is a new form of protest for a generation raised with digital media.
- The use of humor is seen as a coping mechanism and a way to build solidarity amidst fear and violence.
Indian police employed tear gas and batons against tens of thousands of protesters in Delhi who were demonstrating against alleged exam paper leaks and recruitment scandals, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In response to the crackdown, young protesters, many of whom documented their experiences in real-time, have turned to social media platforms like Instagram to share their stories. Videos, often framed as 'fit checks' or sardonic reviews of the police response, have flooded online spaces. This trend, observed by experts in technology and society, suggests a new generation of protesters integrating digital culture and humor into their activism. For participants, this use of humor is not a sign of detachment but a coping mechanism to confront fear and build solidarity, reflecting a broader shift in how online-raised youth engage with political dissent. The act of capturing and sharing these moments, even amidst violence, serves as a form of chronicling and remembering the events.