After a child is hurt, her father turns the road into a battleground to protest against government neglect.
Kanpur: A father’s dramatic protest over a pothole-induced accident involving his young daughter has gone viral, prompting swift – though temporary – action from municipal authorities.
Sheelu Dubey, a trader and resident of I Block in Barra-8, took to the streets with an unusual demonstration. In a powerful and symbolic act of protest, Dubey lay down in a water-filled pothole with a full bed setup – mattress, pillow, and all – while raising slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” The striking visuals of him soaked in muddy water, protesting the civic apathy, quickly spread across social media platforms on Sunday.
Dubey’s protest was triggered by an accident ten days ago in which his 10-year-old daughter, Ananya, a class 4 student, was injured after her bicycle fell into a deep pothole on the damaged stretch of road between Ramgopal Chauraha and Jarauli’s Anand South City.
Residents rallied behind Dubey’s protest, some even planting rice saplings in the potholes to mock the prolonged waterlogging. The road, crucial for thousands of daily commuters, connects several neighborhoods, schools, and marketplaces. Locals have long complained about its deteriorating condition and the rising number of accidents it causes.
“The administration is waiting for a fatal accident before taking action,” said Dubey. “Every day, someone slips or crashes into these muddy craters.”
A viral video of the protest also captured a school bus passing by, with children joining in the chants, adding emotional weight to the issue. The clip triggered a wave of online outrage and renewed calls for better road infrastructure in residential areas of Kanpur.
Following the uproar, municipal corporation officials conducted an on-site inspection. In a hasty response, they used a JCB machine to fill the potholes with soil and gravel. Mayor Pramila Pandey confirmed that temporary measures were taken to prevent further accidents and that permanent repair work would begin after the monsoon.
“Officials will visit the site on Monday, and efforts will be made to start construction once the rains subside,” the mayor said.
However, critics on social media questioned the effectiveness of simply filling the potholes with soil, warning it might worsen the problem by creating more slush during rains.
The protest has ignited a broader debate about Kanpur’s crumbling road infrastructure. Similar complaints are emerging from other parts of the city, pushing local leaders to demand a comprehensive road maintenance plan, regular inspections, and timely repairs.
As Dubey’s unconventional protest continues to resonate online, residents hope it marks a turning point in the city’s long-neglected civic upkeep.
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