One social media user responded to the unusual demonstration by saying, “Imagine what all we had to do for basic goods in India.”
Pothole-filled roadways have long plagued Bengaluru residents, and their grievances have been so commonplace. People in the Mandya district of Karnataka, which is roughly 100 kilometers from Bengaluru, are now speaking out in a distinctive way. Residents during Diwali choose to ignite their diyas inside potholes rather than at home. In order to raise awareness of the problem, elderly residents of a nearby assisted living facility organized a nonviolent demonstration and decorated the potholes with candles and flowers.
Residents can be seen standing in the middle of a busy road with their hands folded in a video that has gone viral online. The pothole is adorned with incense sticks, diyas, and a big garland. They used this innovative tactic to highlight the dilapidated and long-ignored state of roadways.
Residents of Mandaya Convert Diwali into a Pothole Protest
“Pothole Deepavali” was the caption for the video that was uploaded to X (formerly Twitter). Residents of Mandya are protesting potholes after Bengaluru. In an unusual demonstration, elderly home residents in KR Pet lit lamps and placed flowers in potholes along the damaged Kikkeri–KR Pet route.
A Video Initiates Social Media Conversation
“in least they are protesting, such roads are there all across India — full of potholes, dust, waste, muddy water, etc., but People either don’t have the courage or time to protest in other places,” a user commented in response to the post. Another said, “Pothole Deepavali, since the craters will sparkle when the roads do not! Mandya refined it, Bengaluru initiated it, and NASA’s next rover may land here. “Nice method of bringing the authorities in charge of road upkeep and repairs into disrepute. The corporators, municipal officials, MLAs, and MPs should be named and shamed as the next step,” one comment said. “Imagine what we had to do for simple stuff in India,” someone said. In order for those who are concerned to act appropriately, I hope that one day someone will perform Mann Ki Baat on the same subject. Another said, “Congratulations, Mandya people. Regretfully, the government will not be embarrassed by this either.
Bengaluru’s Pothole Puja Sends The Same Message
Members of the Bengaluru-based Bharatinagar Residents Forum performed a special pothole puja on Webster Road in Cox Town back in September. The group came together to patch a pothole and offer their prayers that poor roads will not claim any more lives. They transformed a damaged patch into a place of prayer and adorned the area with flowers. In an inventive move, the group even asked a priest to conduct the ceremony.
This gesture expresses the villagers’ unhappiness and powerlessness in the hopes that the government will finally act as a result of such an innovative protest.
