A solitary voice for the unheard at Jantar Mantar

Amid the fading echoes of protest at Jantar Mantar, once the epicentre of democratic dissent in the Capital, stood a solitary figure. A place that once resonated with chants, slogans and the footsteps of thousands now witnessed just one protester.

Since the 2020 farmers’ protest and the 2023 wrestlers’ protest, demonstrations at Jantar Mantar have become less frequent. Some believe this decline is due to the complicated approval process and the constant police presence in the area.

Unfazed, Kamesh Kumar (40) stood quietly, holding a simple poster, a silent symbol of resistance in an era where mass demonstrations have grown scarce.

Clad in modest attire amid the sultry weather, Kamesh’s appearance was unassuming, yet his determination was unwavering. A former delivery manager at a software company, he has been staging a solo protest for the past over 10 days. Without the support of family, friends or an organisation behind him, his presence is entirely self-motivated.

“I don’t have family or friends. I knew no one else might come,” he said, his voice soft but firm, as he sat on the weathered stone steps of the iconic protest site. “But silence doesn’t mean agreement. Someone has to speak up, even if alone,” he said.

Kamesh’s protest highlights a deeply underreported issue - stagnant wages of workers employed under various government schemes. From sanitation workers to rural employment labourers under the MGNREGA, he argues that these individuals form the backbone of the country’s public systems, yet continue to be underpaid and undervalued.

“No political party has genuinely worked for the welfare of the poor,” he stated, pointing to a long-standing neglect of the working class.

His message is peaceful, yet firm. Despite his quiet demeanor, his presence has stirred discomfort among some.

Kamesh shares that passersby often react with hostility - mocking him, tearing down his poster and sometimes attempting to physically remove him from the site.

“They don’t want to hear the truth. They think one man protesting is meaningless. But it doesn’t matter to me,” he said.

Though alone, Kamesh represents many — the invisible, the unheard and the dismissed. His fight is not just for better wages but for recognition, dignity and accountability. He is calling not for revolution but for reform. For human decency.

There is no media spotlight, no organisational banner and no trending hashtag behind his efforts. Just a man, his poster and a hope that someone, somewhere might listen.

“I have worked all my life, paid taxes and believed in the system. But it’s hard to stay quiet when injustice becomes the norm,” he added, his eyes fixed on the street ahead, watching the crowd go by — largely indifferent.

As the evening sun dipped behind the buildings of the Parliament Street and the golden hues turned to shadows, Kamesh slowly gathered his belongings. He sat for a few more minutes in silence, perhaps in reflection, perhaps in defiance, before walking away. Alone, yet undeterred.

Whether his solitary protest will stir change remains uncertain. But for a few fleeting hours on a hot day, one man stood tall against apathy reminding the nation that protest doesn’t always need a crowd to be heard. Sometimes, it just needs courage.