The residents of Udupi, Karnataka, have transformed their growing frustration over pothole-filled roads into a viral sensation, sparking widespread attention on social media.
On August 28, 2024, the Udupi-Malpe road transformed into an unexpected stage. The stars of this protest were none other than Yamaraja, the Hindu god of death, and his trusty scribe, Chitragupta.
Yamaraja, in his full dramatic costume, stood by one of the biggest potholes, signaling participants to take their leap. Meanwhile, Chitragupta, the meticulous scribe, measured each jump with a tape measure, making sure every leap was recorded.
On one hand, it was hard not to laugh at the sight of Yamaraja standing next to a pothole, encouraging people to jump. But on the other hand, it sent a strong message about the real dangers these potholes pose to everyone who uses the road.
As expected, the ‘Long Jump Contest’ quickly went viral on social media. People across the country couldn’t stop sharing the Yamraj road viral video, with reactions ranging from laughter to frustration. People from various states started urging similar protests in their own cities to catch the attention of the authorities.
Indeed, the protest has sparked a larger conversation about the state of infrastructure in India. The Udupi-Malpe road, once a vital connection for locals, has become something of a public safety hazard, with its potholes growing larger and more dangerous with each passing day. Despite repeated pleas to local authorities, little has been done to address the problem, leaving residents feeling neglected and desperate.
This isn’t the first time Karnataka’s citizens have taken to the streets with creative protests. Bengaluru, the state’s tech hub, has seen everything from activists’, from “Pothole Pooja” to the “moonwalk of an astronaut”.
This ‘astronaut’ is exploring crater-like potholes in Bangalore, India. The stunt by artist Baadal Nanjudaswamy went viral and caught the attention of local authorities who are working to fix the road pic.twitter.com/vAT4nt3q8N
— The Guardian (@guardian) September 3, 2019
But the Udupi protest, with its mix of dark humor and sharp social critique, has struck a particularly strong chord, resonating far beyond the town’s borders.
Now, all eyes are on the local authorities. Whether this protest will spur the necessary repairs remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain—Udupi’s citizens have set a new standard for civic activism.
