Introduction
National Youth Day, also known as Yuva Diwas, is a day celebrated to recognize the youth of our country and it holds a historical significance as it commemorates a spiritual leader, Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda was a great teacher and philosopher who has been a visionary to the youth of all generations. Swami Vivekananda’s discipline and principles are an inspiration to the young minds of the country to lead a successful life. Vivekananda believed in the strength and passion of the youth to drive society towards a developed nation. While his view on the youth of our nation was so positive, in regards to politics he said, “No amount of politics would be of any avail until the masses in India are once more well educated, well fed, and well cared for.” Though Vivekananda did not completely believe in politics because he rather believed that Indians were enslaved, he thought that once the youth were well educated, fed, and cared for, they would always be strong pillars of our nation.
Indian Politics and Youth
Though India is generally condemned for its very high population, it also means that India has vast human resources available. Nearly, 49% of the Indian population are youth aged 15–40. This demographic is the foundation of a nation, integral to its economic and social growth, especially in a rapidly developing country like India. However, according to a report published by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)-Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), 46 percent of India’s youth population have little to no political interest, and even those who are interested seem to have no affiliation to a single party, which is unfortunate given the country's future.
Why Youth Participation is Significant
Youth participation is seen in every aspect and profession in India, may it be engineering, medicine, legal, commerce, business, sports, social work, and various other occupations, we discover youth show their absolute interest but when it comes to politics it is very rarely seen and when one shall have an interest in the same, it is suppressed for the long run as a career. Since its independence, India has been in a vicious circle of an unchanged system and the same political parties, but more youth in the system could bring more notable and advanced changes in the country. There are many reasons for the lack of youth representation in the Indian Political System, such as the lack of trust in the political institutions, social and political factors like family expectations, underrepresentation of youth in politics, etc. But the influence that the youth could have on our country cannot go unnoticeable due to these ever-lasting factors that may always exist if no change is made. A few of such notable reasons for the youth to actively participate in the political arena are:
• Fresh Perspectives: The youth bring new ideas, innovative thinking, and fresh perspectives to the table. Their unique experiences and insights can lead to creative solutions for the challenges faced by our nation.
• Representation: The youth make up a significant portion of the population. By actively participating in politics, they can ensure that their voices, concerns, and aspirations are represented in decision-making processes.
• Change Agents: Young people have the energy, enthusiasm, and passion to drive meaningful change. By engaging in politics, they can advocate for issues they care about, such as education, employment, climate change, and social justice.
• Future Leaders: Youth involvement in politics helps groom future leaders who can shape the destiny of our nation. By gaining firsthand experience in governance and policy-making, they can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to lead effectively.
• Empowerment: Participating in politics empowers the youth to have a direct impact on the issues that affect their lives and the lives of others. It gives them a platform to voice their opinions, engage in debates, and contribute to the development of their communities.
• Social Justice and Equality: Many young individuals are passionate about social justice, equality, and human rights. By engaging in politics, they can advocate for causes they believe in and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
Initiatives Advanced to Encourage Youth Political Participation
Schemes and policies initiated by the government offer various avenues for youth to actively participate in politics and have their voices heard. It provides valuable opportunities, platforms, and resources for young people to understand, engage, and contribute to the political landscape of India.
• National Youth Policy (NYP): The Government in 2022 reviewed the NYP, 2014 and prepared a new draft that envisages vision to achieve by 2030. It includes Sustainable Development Goals and serves to ‘unlock the youth to advance India’. It mainly focuses on education; employment and entrepreneurship; youth leadership and development; health, fitness, sports; and social justice.
• National Youth Parliament Scheme: This scheme aims to engage young people in the democratic process by organizing mock parliament sessions at various levels. It is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and provides a platform for the youth to discuss and debate important issues, enhancing their understanding of parliamentary proceedings, governance, and policymaking.
• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS): NYKS is a youth-focused organization that works towards channeling the energy and talent of young people in constructive activities. It was set up as an autonomous organization by the Government of India under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. NYKS is the largest grassroots-level organisation. It channelises the power of youth on the principles of voluntarism, self-help, community participation, and nation-building initiatives.
• National Service Scheme (NSS): NSS is a voluntary organization that encourages students to participate in various community service activities. It aims to develop their personality, leadership skills, and social responsibility, fostering a sense of active citizenship.
• ‘Know Your Leader’ campaign: The campaign encourages young people to learn about their elected representatives and their work. It helps them understand the role of politicians and promotes transparency in the political system.
• Youth for Nation Program: It focuses on inspiring and motivating young individuals to actively participate in political activities. It organizes workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions to educate youth about the importance of their involvement in the political process.
• National Young Leaders Programme: This programme is a Central Sector Scheme that identifies and nurtures young individuals with leadership potential, providing them with mentorship and training opportunities. The objective of the Programme is to develop leadership qualities among the youth to enable them to realize their full potential and in the process, to contribute to the nation-building process.
Some Youth-led Movements in India
Youth-led movements in India signify the vibrant democracy feature of India. They not only bring remarkable changes to the welfare of the country but also influence the people, especially their youth-mates to bring and work towards betterment of the society. Such youth-led movements are an example that if a movement led by the youth can be so loud then as leaders their changes to the country can be louder. A few such movements are:
• Chipko Movement: The Chipko Movement, which started in the 1970s, was a grassroots movement led by villagers, including many young individuals, in Uttarakhand. They protested against deforestation and the indiscriminate cutting of trees by hugging them to protect them from being felled.
• Anti-Corruption Movement: In 2011, social activist Anna Hazare led a movement against corruption in India. Many young people actively participated in protests and hunger strikes, demanding the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill to establish an independent anti-corruption ombudsman.
• Nirbhaya Movement: Following the brutal gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi in 2012, there was a massive outcry across the country. Thousands of young people took to the streets, demanding justice for the victim and stricter laws against sexual assault.
• Jallikattu Protests: In 2017, Tamil Nadu witnessed widespread protests, mainly led by students and young people, against the ban on the traditional bull-taming sport called Jallikattu. The movement aimed to preserve cultural traditions while ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals involved.
• Anti-CAA agitation in Assam and Delhi, 2020: Division bells: In December 2019, the Union government passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), massive and partly violent protests erupted first in Assam, led by the All Assam Students’ Union, and soon spread to other neighbouring northeastern states as they feared that providing citizenship to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh would alter the region’s demographic balance, resulting in a loss of their political rights, culture, and resources. In Assam, police firing claimed five young lives. Meanwhile, on December 15, major protests took place near the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi where mobs burnt and destroyed public property. The police forcibly entered the Jamia campus, and used batons and tear gas, injuring over 100 students. In protest the CAA and solidarity with Jamia students, civil society groups and students took to the streets in many parts of India. However, unlike the protesters in the northeast, their counterparts elsewhere believed the CAA to be discriminatory against Muslims.
Conclusion
The impact that youth have on our country, towards its progress is tremendous. They shape the future of our country and lead it to the path of remarkable accomplishments. But in doing so one of the major factors that influence the development of the country is the political system of the country which the youth must also strive to lead as they must not forget that their voice matters and their participation in Indian politics makes a concrete difference provided, they stay truthful and determined to their intention without getting deviated to any kind of influence in a negative path. It is also important to remember that even small acts of engagement, such as staying informed, voting, or joining youth-led organizations, are a way to encourage yourself as a youth to the political aspect. It is very essential to promote political education, encourage open dialogue, and create platforms for youth to voice their concerns. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, more young individuals are inspired to actively engage and address the existing challenges by creating a more inclusive and vibrant political landscape.
- Meghna D Dhanwani
9th sem BBA.LLB
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