Issues such as escalating unemployment, the deteriorating quality of education, environmental degradation, and increasing digital surveillance have direct implications for younger generations.
by Jahidul Hassan
Guest Commentator
India’s Youth: A Demographic Powerhouse
India’s young population represents a vast reservoir of potential. Their energy, creativity, and digital fluency can bring innovative solutions to complex issues. However, their voices are often missing from the formal political process. While youth drive trends on social media and lead protest movements, many stop short of entering politics formally. According to recent studies, nearly 46% of young Indians express little or no interest in politics. Even among the engaged, disillusionment with traditional political parties is common. This disengagement is a cause for concern, as it suggests that future leaders may be absent from the decision-making table.Why Are Young Indians Reluctant to Enter Politics?
Several barriers hinder formal youth participation in politics:- Dynastic politics: Many political parties favor family lineage over merit.
- Financial hurdles: Campaigning and nomination costs are often unaffordable.
- Perception of instability: Politics is rarely seen as a secure or viable career path.
- Lack of civic education: Most schools and colleges fail to provide political literacy.
Disengagement Comes at a Cost
The absence of youth in governance doesn’t mean politics ignores them. Issues like unemployment, education inequality, and environmental degradation affect young people directly. If they don’t participate, policies will continue to be made without their input. This disengagement is evident in voting trends. According to the Election Commission of India’s Lok Sabha 2024 Atlas, the share of voters aged 18–29 fell from 25.37% in 2019 to 22.78% in 2024. States like Rajasthan saw a steep drop in voter turnout among 18–19-year-olds, from 76.7% in 2019 to about 60% in 2024.Panchayati Raj: A Gateway to Grassroots Leadership
Despite national-level disengagement, some hopeful signs are emerging. Local politics, especially through Panchayati Raj institutions, offers a promising entry point for youth. In Assam’s recent Panchayat elections, a significant number of candidates were under 40, and nearly 60% were women. Young leaders are leveraging their tech-savviness and local knowledge to improve services like sanitation, water management, and primary education. They are also involved in executing schemes like MGNREGA, which directly affect their communities. Former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted this shift at the 35th Regional Youth Parliament Competition, emphasizing the need for young people to preserve and promote Assam’s heritage through active governance.Learning from History: India’s Youth Movements
Youth have historically led transformative movements in India:- The Chipko Movement for forest conservation
- Jayprakash Narayan’s Total Revolution
- The Anti-Mandal protests and Bihar student movement
- More recently, the anti-CAA demonstrations
Creating a Culture of Political Engagement
To unlock youth potential in governance, systemic change is needed. This includes:- Transparent political recruitment: Parties must prioritize competence over legacy.
- Financial support: Scholarships or grants for political aspirants can ease entry barriers.
- Civic education: Schools and colleges should offer practical lessons in political systems and leadership.
- Youth platforms: Initiatives like mock parliaments and civic fellowships can cultivate future leaders.
The Road Ahead: Youth as Changemakers
Ultimately, youth participation in politics is not just about age—it’s about perspective, innovation, and the will to build a more inclusive India. In states like Assam, where challenges such as unemployment and ethnic tensions persist, the need for active youth leadership is even more urgent. The recent rise in young Panchayat candidates signals a shift, but much remains to be done. Young Indians must go beyond protest and advocacy to step into roles as elected leaders and policy architects. India’s future won’t be built for the youth—it must be built by them.
Jahidul Hassan is a research student at Darul Huda Islamic University in Kerala, India. In his leisure time he likes to talk to friends and travel. If given to fly anywhere in the world first class, it would be to Switzerland.
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