The recent Maharashtra Youth Congress Elections have been creating a lot of havoc in the newspapers lately. The Marathi as well as English news papers have been extensively covering the ‘internal party elections of the congress party’s youth wing’. It is hard to believe that Vishwajeet Kadam’s election as the Maharashtra state party president for youth congress and the whole euphoria that followed it was just for a position that is within the congress party’s youth wing. It just makes me wonder what exactly is the purpose and significance of these elections?. And what credibility do these so called youth leaders bring to the youth politics of the country or even to Maharashtra state for that matter? With all these newspaper articles speaking about how there is a tiff between the youth congress candidates and which political camp(within congress party) is supporting whom, come to think of it the youth congress elections are nothing but a power play ensuring more factions within the party without really contributing to the society.
Has the media tried to find out- what do these elections mean to the common man??
Or do they even matter to the common man (youth)??
Or are these just publicity stunts by the candidates who are trying to be in the limelight with constant media coverage??
I think these questions directly lead us to Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s initiative of democratization of politics. A noble thought as it is; its implementation I believe is truly flawed! There is a difference between democratization of party politics and democratization of politics and systems in general. I understand that the argument naturally leads to –if only the party politics is democratic in nature can the political culture go through a change…So on and so forth.
But the argument here is a little different – democratization of politics does not only mean elected representative but it also means representing the problems and issues of the people, the common man, and in this case most importantly the’ youth’.
How many of these so called youth leaders of the youth congress who have flashy websites and tinkling Facebook accounts speak of change and transformation in the youth culture, youth representation and issues that really concern the youth? The problems are plenty- unemployment, lack of facilities, education, gathering finance, loans, underemployment, security, equality, participation, diversity, women’s representation, security of women, problems of transport, eve-teasing, etc.Are any of these even addressed let alone being discussed?
Most of the youth only psycho fancies Rahul Gandhi. There is no faculty of reason what so ever as to what this Rahul brigade has on offer for us? Along with making sporadic speeches and praising Rahul Gandhi these youth congress candidates can might as well hold public youth forums, debates and discussions which will not only help the youth but also result into a more valuable mind stimulating experience; and also give the common youth a chance to put across their views, represent themselves and in turn get recognized.
A genuine move towards making a difference for the youth would be by making an effort to enhance the quality of youth- their ideas, thoughts and attitude towards the socio-political responsibilities; evolving a youth culture through workshops and training programs, establishing non-governmental organizations, trusts, charity organization (especially with the kind of money that was distributed for these elections by the candidates a charitable trust would have certainly benefited the youth in better ways), career guidance & vocational guidance for the underprivileged which may empower the youth for their future.
Most of the candidates in the forefront of these elections were sons, daughters, or nephews with political strings attached. Inheritance of politics is not a crime but carrying forward ignorant, unproductive, petty politics is certainly not what the future of this country should be based on.
And once again I guess its time we take a clue from the west where one of the best examples of responsive and responsible youth politics can be found in the UK and US. The British youth council for example was established as a charity organization in order to support the youth. Today it is a commendable organization that has established the UK Youth Parliament in the year 2000 with almost 600 members and above 5,00,000 youth to vote every year in elections which are held in 90% of the constituencies and are endorsed by the 3 main political parties in the UK. The youth in these organizations have a close working relationship with the members of the parliament and are considered fairly influential at bringing about change with matters of concern. Whereas, the youth politics in America was first identified with the establishment of the American youth Congress in the 1930, followed by the- National Youth Administration -which is known for upholding the issues of unemployment and education for the youth.
Therefore, the whole idea of youth politics in India needs to be revisited. Democratizing the party politics may be one part of the entire ball game but one has to ensure the repercussions of the same. If the election results are dominated by extensive power play based on money and unhealthy political practices it certainly is a rupture in the ideals of a democratic system. Along with democratizing the systems it is important that the youth congress gives these candidates a certain framework for rational, legal & ethical leadership. This is only to say that one’s capacity to generate & distribute money in order to get votes cannot be qualified as a leadership quality! The focus of these elections I guess is developing a socio-political response amongst the youth and giving everyone an opportunity to represent oneself and get recognized. But the current state of affairs just defeats the very purpose and makes the efforts of youth congress completely insignificant!
A small speech by Robert F Kennedy(American politician), a democratic senator & well-known social activist, is more than suitable here, where he says – “Our answer is the world’s hope; it is to rely on youth. The cruelties and obstacles of this swiftly changing planet will not yield to obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans. It cannot be moved by those who cling to the present which is already dying, who prefer the illusion of security to the excitement of danger. It demands the qualities of youth, not time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, and for adventure over love of ease”(in South Africa 1968).
Thus, unless and until we achieve a certain level of political & social maturity where youth of this country is concerned, the whole fuss about the Maharashtra State Youth Congress elections has been, in the words of Shakespeare - Much Ado About Nothing!!
