5 days ago
Pitroda Urges Parties Not to Hijack India’s Youth Protests
Sam Pitroda said young people should lead their own campaign.
They are upset about poor schools, unfair or badly conducted exams, and a lack of jobs.
He said political parties should support them without taking control of their movement.
Pitroda believes taking over the campaign could make it less trustworthy.
He said young people want basic things like working schools, clean bathrooms, present teachers and reliable healthcare.
They also want fair exams and chances to build their futures.
Pitroda said angry words from some protesters show how frustrated they are.
He added that parents and local communities should help improve schools too.
Sam Pitroda urged political parties not to politicise or appropriate the youth-led campaign.
The campaign highlights failing schools, disputed examinations, unemployment and limited opportunities.
Pitroda said the Congress could support young people but should not capture their movement.
He said protesters’ anger, including abusive language, reflected deep frustration with neglected services.
Pitroda also urged communities and parents to share responsibility for improving local schools.
- Who
- Sam Pitroda, young Indian campaigners, political parties, communities and parents.
- What
- Pitroda called on political parties not to hijack or politicise a youth-led campaign over schools, examinations and unemployment.
- Where
- New York; the campaign concerns young people in India.
- When
- During an exclusive interview with IANS; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- Pitroda said young people should speak for themselves and that political appropriation could damage the movement’s credibility.
Keep the Movement Youth-Led
Represent Public Concerns Politically
Role of Political Parties
Keep the Movement Youth-Led
Pitroda argued that parties should support young campaigners without taking over their movement or speaking in their place.
Represent Public Concerns Politically
He also acknowledged that opposition parties have a legitimate responsibility to represent public concerns, while saying they should first let young people articulate their demands.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Sam Pitroda, a senior Congress leader
- Main appeal
- Political parties should support, but not capture or politicise, the youth campaign.
- Key concerns
- Failing schools, examination problems, unemployment and limited opportunities
- Requested improvements
- Functioning schools, clean facilities, attending teachers, reliable exams and working primary healthcare centres
- Congress’s proposed role
- Pitroda said the Congress could act as a catalyst without taking advantage of the movement.
- Shared responsibility
- Pitroda said communities and parents should help improve local schools.
Quotes
Sam Pitroda
Senior Congress leader commenting on political parties’ role in the youth campaign
“Because the idea was not to really polarize. Idea was to let them do what they think is right to do. By your interfering in there, you would have destroyed their initiative.”
thehansindia.com
“Make sure my exams are properly conducted and make sure I have opportunities to build my life. I think that's what young people are saying. Fix it.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
CJP, AISA, Congress Step Up Gen Z Engagement Across India
Yogendra Yadav Urges Parties to Unite Behind Youth
Tharoor Questions Whether Parties Failed to Hear Gen Z
India’s Parties Court Gen Z After Youth Protests
Jharkhand Youth Leader Demands Recruitment Reforms Beyond Political Dialogue
Petition urges PM Modi to address India's youth on I-Day
Sam Pitroda Says India Lags in AI, Urges Public Focus
Sajjan Kumar Tribute Reopens Congress’s Unresolved 1984 Reckoning
JS Deepak’s Memoir Offers A Candid, Humorous View Of Governance
Congress Commemorates Rajiv Gandhi as Architect of India’s Tech Transformation
