A Father’s Protest in Kanpur: Making the City Listen After His Daughter Fell Into a Waterlogged Pothole

In Kanpur, a father’s extraordinary act of protest has sparked debate across the city and social media. Tired of empty promises and deteriorating roads, this father decided he would no longer remain silent after his young daughter fell into a water-filled pothole on her way to school in the Barra area.

Instead of accepting another round of political assurances, he grabbed a mat and pillow and lay down right in the dirty, flooded pothole—the very spot where his daughter had fallen. The protest stopped traffic and drew the attention of passersby, who watched as the father, still lying in the water, raised slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” demanding an answer from the administration.

Photos and videos of the protest quickly went viral, with locals and netizens alike asking: “When will our roads improve? When will the authorities wake up?”

The grieving father explained that he had approached every local leader—councilors, MLAs, MPs—begging for the road to be fixed, but only received hollow promises. In the rainy season, conditions worsen as potholes overflow, making it impossible to tell where the road ends and a deadly pit begins. With many schools in the area, children put their lives at risk every day just to pursue an education.

“This symbolic and peaceful protest has become not just a plea for a single road, but a mirror reflecting the system’s apathy,” said one local.

Now, all of Kanpur is left wondering: will this be the wakeup call the administration finally heeds—or will the next protest have to be even bigger? The city waits for an answer.

What do you think about this unique protest and the state of civic infrastructure? Share your thoughts in the comments.