3 weeks ago
India's Gen Z Deserves a Stronger Voice in Ageing Parliament
Young people in India, called Gen Z, are a very big part of the country.
Some experts say more than one in every four people in India is between 14 and 29 years old.
But very few of these young people get to help make the rules for the country.
Right now, only 6 young people are in the big national Parliament, and only 20 are in state parliaments.
One rule says you must be at least 25 years old to run for office.
Even when we look at people under 40, there are only 397 out of more than 4,000 state lawmakers.
The article says this is a problem because older leaders cannot understand what young people need.
Many young people feel upset and do not trust the government.
Some young people even like a joke party called the Cockroach Janta Party to show their anger.
The article says India's leaders should pay attention to young people's voices.
Gen Z, the 14-29 age cohort, is estimated to comprise over 25% of India's population.
Only 6 MPs and 20 MLAs currently represent this youth cohort in Parliament and state legislatures.
Only 397 of over 4,000 MLAs in the country are under 40 years old.
The minimum age for contesting elections in India is 25 years, a factor the editorial questions.
The Cockroach Janta Party, popular among youth, has chosen to remain a pressure group rather than a political force.
- Who
- India's Gen Z youth (ages 14-29) and the country's ageing legislators in Parliament and state assemblies.
- What
- An editorial argues that young Indians are severely underrepresented in Parliament and state assemblies.
- Where
- India, specifically its Parliament and state assemblies.
- When
- The editorial reflects on current data amid recent youth protests on the streets.
- Why
- Because of the 25-year minimum age to contest polls and political parties' reliance on seniority, leaving youth demands unheard.
Key facts
- Gen Z share of population
- Over 25% (ages 14-29)
- Youth MPs
- 6
- Youth MLAs
- 20
- MLAs under 40
- 397 out of over 4,000
- Minimum age to contest polls
- 25 years
- Government stance on youth protests
- Narendra Modi government showed initial apathy
- Cockroach Janta Party decision
- Remain a collective pressure group, not a political force
Sources
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