The Chief Minister’s recent statement at the youth leaders’ conference, urging college students to enter politics, has sparked an important conversation. While this call to action is commendable, its broader implications raise questions about the current state of politics and the role youth can play in reshaping it.
It would have been more impactful if the Chief Minister had emphasised the need for young people to cleanse the decayed and criminalised political system. Nevertheless, the statement highlights a truth: the future of any nation lies in the hands of its youth. However, the critical question remains, why should young people enter politics? Is there anything happening in the current politics that makes them want to enter politics? This is the basic question. Keeping in mind the ideals of which leaders, these students will enter politics? Which leader will they follow in their political footsteps? Do we have such a shining example? Which will inspire college students?
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The present state of politics is far from inspiring for young aspirants. According to data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 46% of the Members of Parliament elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections have criminal cases registered against them. Of these, a significant number involve serious charges, including murder, sexual crimes and hate speech.
Of the MPs elected in this year’s Lok Sabha elections, 251 have criminal cases registered against them and 27 of them have been convicted. The number of MPs with declared criminal cases has increased by 55 per cent since 2009. Out of 251 winning candidates this year, 170 (31 percent) candidates have serious criminal cases like rape, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and crimes against women. The analysis found that the chances of a candidate with criminal cases winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were 15.3 percent, while those with clean backgrounds were only 4.4 per cent. Such figures paint a grim picture, hardly one that motivates young minds to step into the political arena. However, this also presents a challenge—if the youth do not enter politics to bring about change, who will?
Historically, youth movements have been instrumental in shaping political landscapes. During India’s freedom struggle, student leaders like Bhagat Singh set a precedent for youth-driven transformation. Post-independence, organisations such as the Youth Congress and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad emerged as platforms for students to participate in politics.
Yet today, these once-idealistic platforms have become extensions of political parties, riddled with malpractices and divisive ideologies. University elections, once a training ground for future leaders, have become battlegrounds for party control. Students are categorised along lines of religion, caste and ideology, stifling their intellectual independence.
In this context, the Chief Minister’s call for youth to seize opportunities in politics could be interpreted as urging them to exploit a system rather than reform it. This distinction is crucial. Youth participation in politics should not be about individual advancement but about driving fundamental changes.
Examples from global history reinforce the power of youth in bringing about systemic reform. The student movements in France (1968) and Indonesia (1998) not only challenged their respective governments but also reshaped political discourse. These movements underscore the transformative potential of youth when driven by a commitment to democratic values and rationality.
For young leaders to effect meaningful change, they must transcend the allure of power and stay committed to principles of democracy, justice, and equality. The current political system offers ample opportunities for reform—from electoral processes to governance structures. However, this requires young leaders to remain steadfast in their ideals, even in the face of systemic pressures.
It is equally important to foster an environment that nurtures such leadership. Educational institutions must encourage critical thinking and civic engagement, allowing students to explore political ideas without fear of ideological suppression. Moreover, political parties must welcome young voices not as tokens but as genuine agents of change.
Young leaders should not merely seize opportunities but create them—shaping a political landscape that is transparent, inclusive, and value-driven. The challenge is daunting, but history has shown that when youth rise with conviction, they can transform societies. For India, the time for such a transformation is now.
