Social media flooded with Gen Z protest survival tips, offline maps & tear gas remedies

As Cockroach Janta Party protesters refuse to budge from Jantar Mantar amid recurring internet shutdowns and clashes with police, social media has been flooded with crowdsourced tips on staying connected, dealing with tear gas exposure and protecting themselves during demonstrations.

Among the advice being shared is to download offline maps before reaching the protest site, use Bluetooth-based messaging apps that work without mobile data or Wi-Fi and install locally run large language models (LLMs) that operate directly on devices during internet outages.

A social media user who said he had been stranded several times during internet shutdowns also recommended purchasing LoRa-based communication devices, which can help people stay in touch over longer distances when mobile networks are unavailable. He advised protesters to save the contact details of at least five people living near the protest venue for emergencies.

Advice on dealing with tear gas exposure is also being widely circulated. One social media user suggested carrying a mixture of equal parts water and an antacid such as Maalox or Digene, saying it may help reduce the burning sensation and irritation in the eyes after exposure to tear gas. The woman said she was sharing the remedy after a friend found it useful during a protest.

Another protester said he carried a painter's mask or a regular dust mask and protective goggles to reduce exposure to smoke and irritants.

Protesters have also shared ways to protect themselves from baton blows. One agitator said he placed thermocol sheets inside his jeans around the back and hip area for cushioning.

He said he carried a spare shirt for himself and a kurta for female protesters in case someone's clothes were torn during a demonstration. He also carried two helmets, one for himself and another to lend to those in need.

The trend reflects how demonstrators are increasingly relying on crowdsourced advice to prepare for disruptions and confrontations during protests.

Several students and other protesters were injured in confrontations with police during their march to Parliament on Monday. One woman was rushed in critical condition to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Several police personnel also sustained injuries.

The students, gathered at the call of the Cockroach Janta Party, have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET fiasco.

(With inputs from PTI)