NEW DELHI: As protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party continued at Jantar Mantar amid repeated clashes with police, social media has been flooded with “survival guides” offering tips on coping with internet shutdowns, tear gas exposure and police action.From downloading offline maps and using Bluetooth-based messaging apps to carrying antacid solutions for tear gas exposure, demonstrators are increasingly relying on crowdsourced advice to navigate the ongoing agitation.One social media user, who said he had been stranded during repeated internet shutdowns at the protest site, advised participants to download offline maps before arriving. He also recommended installing Bluetooth-based messaging applications that function without mobile data or WiFi, enabling communication even during connectivity disruptions.The user further suggested installing locally run large language models (LLMs) that operate directly on devices instead of cloud-based AI services, allowing access to AI tools even when internet services are suspended.He also advised protesters to carry LoRa-based communication devices, which can enable long-range communication when mobile networks are unavailable, and urged them to save the contact details of at least five people living near the protest venue to use in emergencies. Advice on dealing with tear gas has also gained traction online. A social media user recommended carrying a mixture of equal parts water and an antacid such as Maalox or Digene, claiming it could help reduce the burning sensation and eye irritation caused by tear gas exposure. She said she shared the remedy after a friend found it useful during an earlier protest.Another protester said he carried a painter’s mask or an ordinary dust mask along with protective goggles to reduce exposure to smoke and chemical irritants.Some demonstrators have also devised makeshift protective gear against baton charges. One protester said he placed thermocol sheets inside his jeans around the back and hip area to provide cushioning. He added that he carried a spare shirt for himself and a kurta for any female protester in case someone’s clothes were torn during the demonstration.The protester also said he carried two helmets, one for himself and another to lend to anyone who needed protection.The trend reflects how demonstrators are increasingly turning to social media for practical advice and real-time information during the protests.On Monday, several students and other protesters were injured in clashes with police during their march to Parliament. One woman was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in critical condition. Several police personnel were also injured in the confrontations.The students, protesting under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party, have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy.
