When Demographic Dividend Turns Into Powerful Political Dissent
By K Raveendran Mohan Bhagwat’s attempt to open a conversation with India’s younger generation carries significance precisely because such an intervention would hardly have been necessary if the political establishment were confident that the youth remained comfortably within its fold. The RSS chief’s argument that young people are neither misguided nor directionless, and that they […] The…
The RSS chief's attempt to engage India's younger generation holds significance due to the youth's potential disconnection from the political establishment. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's conciliatory remarks may seem like political firefighting in light of recent student protests over examination failures. The timing of Bhagwat's message underscores its importance.
Youth protests successfully forced the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, challenging the government's initial determination to outlast them. Bhagwat's acknowledgment of India's demographic dividend as a political reality and not just a persuasive narrative is crucial. However, the BJP's difficulty lies in treating young people as active participants in national transformation, rather than mere audiences for political messaging.
The government's emphasis on functioning institutions, credible examinations, and expanding employment is crucial for transforming India's demographic dividend into political agency. The Jantar Mantar mobilisation quickly gained political energy due to the discrepancy between the government's perception of students' problems and their personal stakes in the matter.
Treating dissenting students with suspicion, accusations of manipulation, or as politically immature may confuse obedience with loyalty, undermining the government's authority. Bhagwat's intervention suggests that the RSS understands the generational transition and the importance of engaging young people through affection, explanation, and consensus.
The crisis presents an opportunity for the BJP to demonstrate that young people deserve dialogue rather than dictation and to treat them as politically mature participants in the political process.
Written by urgent.news from Arabian Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
