Among the many slogans and posters carried by thousands of young protesters at Jantar Mantar, some had an element of vulgarity and crudeness. This is a different language of protest that is being weaponised against the current regime. Such slogans are bound to have an initial shock value, one might even feel uncomfortable with the language and find it problematic. However, an examination of the slogans beyond this initial reaction is important. A type of counter-cultureIt is not the first time that those who feel oppressed have resorted to sexual sensationalism and degradation of an elite or ruling class. In 18th century France, many young people who hoped to become philosophers and great writers migrated to cities to make their mark. Unfortunately, the cities were not kind to them. Many young people found themselves stuck, unable to secure the lives and jobs they dreamed of having. Instead of becoming renowned philosophers like Voltaire, they made their living by producing sensationalist pamphlets, writing escapist fiction and pornography. Yet, they found ways of subverting the elite. According to Robert Darnton, an eminent historian who wrote The Literary Underground of the Old Regime, such subversive writings helped set up the anti-elitist tone of the French Revolution. One of the most controversial libelles [pamphlets] was Le Gazetier cuirasse by Charles Theveneau de Morande. In his writings, he promised to expose the secrets of the ruling elites. Examples of this include talking about the elite engaging in adultery, incest, and spreading sexual diseases as a consequence of their debauchery. He particularly targeted the King of France, Louis XV, making him look ridiculous and trivial. He wrote that “A notice has been published in the hopes of finding the sceptre of one of the greatest kings of Europe. After a very long search, it was found in the toilet of a pretty woman called a countess, who uses it for playing with her cat”. This act of writing directly undermines the symbols of divine authority, in this case the royal sceptre, that the rulers use to establish themselves as legitimate. A look at some postersAt the Jantar Mantar protests, it is this kind of sloganeering that can undermine such prestigious non-biological figures. For instance, “Modi Ji, Hook Your Bra. Corruption Dikh Raha Hai!”, immediately reverses patriarchal notions and the type of behaviour deemed scandalous for women. However, here it is not a woman who is accused, but the prime minister. He is revealing something that is not meant to be shown, or perhaps even exist.“ModiJi Hook Your Bra. Corruption Dikh Raha Hai.” Photo: Zafar HabibA few posters also highlighted popular memes and fanfiction about a ‘possible’ affair between Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “Students the isliye pael diya! Meloni hoti toh baahon mein hoti” [Because it was students they beat them! If it was Meloni then she would be in his arms]. A differential treatment born out of the supposed affair is highlighted here. “Students the isliye pael diya! Meloni hoti toh baanhon mein hoti.” Photo: Zafar Habib“Meloni Madam Modi Ji ko Block Karo Woh Accha Ladka Nahi Hai…” [Meloni Madam block Modi; he is not a good boy…], implores Meloni to reconsider her relationship with Modi. In the same way that so many of India’s youth have reconsidered their relationship with the government, it is time for Meloni to stop cooperating with Modi as well. The attempt at a positive relationship is simply not worth it when the other person is not an “accha ladka” [good boy].“Dudes either support modi or make a person cum, I’m sorry I don’t make the rules”, brings the attention to supporters of the current government. This is also a way of calling out the Indian manosphere and Hindutva hypermasculinity that is on the rise today. To support such a figure means that you as an individual are not capable of sexually pleasuring your partner. In a way, it might also be hinting at the self-centeredness and narcissism prevalent in this manosphere, and how it must also reflect in the sexual activities of these individuals. Dudes either support modi or make a person cum. Photo: Zafar Habib.But what if Modi had never even been born? This is the hypothesis put forward by a protester who wishes to build a time machine and give Modi’s father a condom. However, this assumes that Modi is a biological being, which might not be the case going by the prime minister’s own claims.Another poster read: “Police Daddy Hit Me Harder”. Here, members of the Delhi Police, who acted brutally and violently towards protesters on July 20 have been sexualised as “daddy”. While they have certainly gravely injured many protesters, the protesters remain unfettered. In fact this protester seeks to argue that the daddies simply have not hit them hard enough to satisfy them. What does such commentary achieve?What such slogans, posters and characterisations do is humanise the dominant elite class and bring them to the level of the dissenters. If an overpowering public figure masturbates or pursues a scandalous romance, then perhaps he is human after all. For the protester, what this means is that Modi and his government can be joked about, they can be ridiculed and they can be challenged openly. Politically, such language of protest undermines the authority and the fear that the regime believes it commands over the people of India. The regime then becomes smaller and something against which dissent can continue and be effective. Zafar Habib is a B.A. (Research) History graduate from Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence.