RIZWAN RUMI
SRINAGAR — Politics has been viewed as the realm in which we attempt to make real some of our highest aspirations: our desire for political freedom, our longing for justice, our hope for peace and security. However, when it comes down to the youths of the nation, there simply is a shortage of them occupied in the political realm.
People between the age of 15 and 35 constitute youth. That is why some people believe that the youth should not take part in politics.
But when the government reduced the age of eligibility for casting vote from 21 to 18, the message was quite clear: that the youth should actively take part in the process of elections whereby the candidates are elected to form governments at the state as well as centre.
The inclusion of youth with ethical conduct in formal politics is important.
Being young, they are not swayed by the old systems of caste, creed and other orthodoxy which had been the bane of Indian politics for quite some time in the post-independence era. The government also seemed to have realised that it was important for India’s future to induct the youth in the democratic process at an early age.
With involvement of youth with moral conduct, fresh ideas and new leadership help to overcome authoritarian practices. Politics should not be seen as the participation of experienced and old people only.
The country needs some young leaders with enthusiasm, morality and diligence in politics.
At the time of independence of India, many youths like Jawaharlal Nehru participated actively in the active politics and freedom movement.
But the scenario is completely different now. Nowadays, we only have a handful of young leaders. The majority of the youngsters only view politics as a dirty game, and do not want to enter into it.
The outcome is clear as nowadays “the qualifications for being given a ‘ticket’ to contest elections are: possession of a modest intellect, capped with serious moral defects, the ability to play fast and loose with public money, close association with genuine, mafia-type criminals and ability to threaten honest candidates to prevent them from contesting elections”.