Youth & Politics : When are we addressing our concerns ?
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Joyson Khumukcham
Contd from previous issue
While such activism has contributed to remarkable political decisions from the Government, it comes at a heavy cost of violence, destruction, and casualties.
On the other hand,youth representation and engagement in formal spheres of politics remain low. In short, there are less youth MLAs and representatives in local Governments in the State. As such there are fewer policies that address the concerns of the youth. Therefore, it is very important for educated and matured young people to step into formal politics to contest elections and take part in legislations. Addressing concerns for youth requires youth legislators to make effective policies based on their lived and living experiences.
While there are lakhs of youth aspirants for public services in the country, there are fewer aspirants who choose politics as a vocation. The reluctance is understandable given the typical electoral culture in India which is partly characterized by dynasty politics, high campaigning costs, and a usual preference for rich and older male candidates. However, young people getting into formal politics will mean structural transformation at various levels. This can be substantiated by the fact that young people are active, energetic, experimental, and less corrupted. They question, they attempt, and they learn rather than trying to adjust within the system. Young people stepping into politics will mean attending to the unaddressed issues of the youth.
The Way Forward
The call for young politicians is not for their absolute presence in the legislature but for a proper representation. And in order to make way for them to enter into the system, an effort to move beyond some of the shallow performances such as being convinced by freebies, money, or false promises is imminent among the voters. For this, young people should constantly talk about their concerns seriously with family members and peers in order to bring collective change. Young people must also be very careful to not fall into the trap of narrow and divisive identity politics. Otherwise, they will continue the same politics. They should focus rather on the important issues that largely concern the progress and sustainability of their society.
At the same time, older politicians and people in power should also consider making way for young politicians to enter into the system. Just like the parents of many animals teach their young ones to become independent, older politicians likewise should let young people do things for themselves. They, in their capacity as experienced mentors,should advise and guide the young legislators. Young people cannot be expected to be spoon-fed and obedient all the time while underestimating them as inexperienced and immature individuals. A democratic society should keep its legislators and legislation inclusive, representative, and attentive to the concerns of thepeople.And it is high time for the youth to call for a new politics – politics as a profession to address our concerns.
The writer is a Research Scholar at the Department of Political Science, Manipur University, and can be reached at [email protected]
Contd from previous issue
While such activism has contributed to remarkable political decisions from the Government, it comes at a heavy cost of violence, destruction, and casualties.
On the other hand,youth representation and engagement in formal spheres of politics remain low. In short, there are less youth MLAs and representatives in local Governments in the State. As such there are fewer policies that address the concerns of the youth. Therefore, it is very important for educated and matured young people to step into formal politics to contest elections and take part in legislations. Addressing concerns for youth requires youth legislators to make effective policies based on their lived and living experiences.
While there are lakhs of youth aspirants for public services in the country, there are fewer aspirants who choose politics as a vocation. The reluctance is understandable given the typical electoral culture in India which is partly characterized by dynasty politics, high campaigning costs, and a usual preference for rich and older male candidates. However, young people getting into formal politics will mean structural transformation at various levels. This can be substantiated by the fact that young people are active, energetic, experimental, and less corrupted. They question, they attempt, and they learn rather than trying to adjust within the system. Young people stepping into politics will mean attending to the unaddressed issues of the youth.
The Way Forward
The call for young politicians is not for their absolute presence in the legislature but for a proper representation. And in order to make way for them to enter into the system, an effort to move beyond some of the shallow performances such as being convinced by freebies, money, or false promises is imminent among the voters. For this, young people should constantly talk about their concerns seriously with family members and peers in order to bring collective change. Young people must also be very careful to not fall into the trap of narrow and divisive identity politics. Otherwise, they will continue the same politics. They should focus rather on the important issues that largely concern the progress and sustainability of their society.
At the same time, older politicians and people in power should also consider making way for young politicians to enter into the system. Just like the parents of many animals teach their young ones to become independent, older politicians likewise should let young people do things for themselves. They, in their capacity as experienced mentors,should advise and guide the young legislators. Young people cannot be expected to be spoon-fed and obedient all the time while underestimating them as inexperienced and immature individuals. A democratic society should keep its legislators and legislation inclusive, representative, and attentive to the concerns of thepeople.And it is high time for the youth to call for a new politics – politics as a profession to address our concerns.
The writer is a Research Scholar at the Department of Political Science, Manipur University, and can be reached at [email protected]