Protesters supporting CAA/NRC demonstrations appeared at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi wearing cosplay costumes to hide their identities [1].
The use of costumes at a political rally highlights the lengths some citizens go to avoid surveillance and legal repercussions while maintaining visibility for their cause. By blending anonymity with pop culture, the participants shifted the visual tone of the demonstration.
Participants arrived at the site dressed as various characters from Marvel, DC, and Disney [1]. The crowd included individuals dressed as Batman, Mickey Mouse, and Spider-Man, as well as one person in a gorilla costume [1]. These disguises served a dual purpose: protecting the wearers from identification by authorities, and introducing a lighter element to the serious nature of the protest [1].
One individual dressed as Spider-Man said, "Spidey is a messiah" [1]. The playful nature of the attire did not detract from the political goals of the group, who gathered to voice their opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens.
A supporter wearing a gorilla costume said, "Protesters also need entertainment" [1].
This trend of using costumes in political spaces has appeared in other global contexts, but the specific mix of corporate mascots and superheroes at Jantar Mantar created a distinct visual contrast against the traditional backdrop of New Delhi's protest hub [1]. The event took place in June 2024 [1].
“"Spidey is a messiah"”
The adoption of cosplay as a tool for political protest indicates a strategic shift toward 'performative anonymity.' By using widely recognized characters, protesters can bypass facial recognition or manual identification by authorities while simultaneously attracting media attention through visual novelty. This approach transforms a high-risk political act into a spectacle, potentially lowering the barrier for participation among younger demographics.
