On National Youth Day, TOI speaks to six Hyderabadis about why protests are being driven by the young, restless and political

Rayid Ali | 18 years
In the next elections, Rayid will among the many first-time voters standing in queue to exercise their electoral right. And when he does, the engineering student feels, he’ll be well equipped to make the right choice. Reason: his decision to make himself politically aware and associate with forums that discuss public policy. “Until sometime ago, I was ignorant about the political system.Even when conversations around NRC started, from Assam, I read news articles but didn’t react. Then, as more material started getting circulated through social media, I decided to study about it,” said Rayid, speaking about how the rallies that he participated in, subsequently, helped him gain a better perspective on the issue. “I realised the power of youth. I also understood how it is important for people like me to be politically aware because the choices we make today, will impact our future,” he added.
Aditi Chandra | 19 years
Soon after the JNU attack last Sunday, Aditi created a piece of art that got her parents worried. It was clearly anti-establishment and depicted how JNU’s freedom, to voice dissent, was under threat. But that didn’t deter her from circulating her work on social media or joining every ‘I support JNU’ rally organised in the city, thereafter. “The youth today have tremendous power and we have to use it if we want our present and our future to be better,” said the artist-cum-photographer, adding, “Art can make a huge impact.” She’s a proud member of the queer community, whose journey with politics began from the pride marches that ultimately led to the Supreme Court decriminalising gay sex by consenting abolishing Section 377. In the more recent students’ movement unfolding across India, Aditi has been an active member despite her “privileges”. “The CAA or the NRC might not impact me directly. Yet, I feel it is necessary for me to lend my voice to the protests,” Aditi said.
Abdus Sami | 20 years
Abdus Sami understands that youth is the biggest asset for a developing country. “So, I thought it was important for me to support issues that I feel strongly about,” Abdus said, referring to his decision to join the protests against CAA and NRC. “While I have been part of conversations on Triple Talaq Bill, Article 370 and mob-lynching, I wasn’t actively involved in political rallies or gatherings before. When CAA was passed, I decided to speak up,” said the BSc (biotechnology) student, confessing that his faith played an important role in his decision. “It affects people like me because we practice a certain religion,” he added. While Abdus believes that people of his generation do not differentiate between each other based on religion, he feels that many continue to be detached from what is happening in the country. “As long as it doesn’t impact them, they want to steer clear of politics. This attitude must change,” he said.
Gargi Mondal | 20 years
After rallying for various issues on campus over the last two years, Gargi is certain about one thing: if the youth throw their weight behind a case and fight for it consistently, it is sure to yield results. And that has been driving her to participate in every demonstration organised on issues that she thinks is “unfair and unjust” to one or many sections of society. And while, at times, people, chose not to take her seriously because of her age, she says it is never a deterrent. “When I was the student representative on the Gender Sensitization Committee against Sexual Harassment on campus, people were dismissive of me sometimes. But I made sure that I was heard,” the student of Hyderabad Central University said. But isn’t she scared of backlash? “That fear is one reason why many people my age chooses to take the neutral path. But I am not scared,” she said.
Meghna | 19 years
Until 2018, Meghna was another schoolgirl whose life revolved around textbooks and examinations. But when she came to Hyderabad, to pursue her graduation, she was exposed to a world of politics, she never knew existed. Today, she’s is at the forefront of many demonstrations and isn’t scared to raise her voice against matters that do not align with her beliefs. “But before I dived into the protests, I studied it well and understood how it’ll work,” said Meghna, sharing her concerns with CAA and NRC. “It fails to take into account various communities. The transgender community is one such example. It is very difficult for them to establish their identity and gather necessary documentation,” she added. Speaking about her decision to stand in solidarity with students of JNU, Jamia Millia or Aligarh Muslim University, she said: “It is important to protect such spaces as they allow people to speak their mind.” Appealing to more people her age to become politically aware, she said that it was necessary so that the youth can choose their leaders wisely.
Khalid Rahman| 18 years
Want to connect with a Member of Parliament about an issue bothering you? The mpConnect mobile app might be a good idea. And it isn’t designed or handled by any political party. It’s a neutral platform created by Khalid, a BBA student from a city college. “Everything in our lives today is connected to politics – be it getting our neighbourhood road fixed or finding a job,” said the teenager, adding, “My objective, through this app, is to bridge the gap between politicians and the common people.” While the app was designed a few years ago, Khalid decided to update it and relaunch recently. “People have varying views on what is going on around them and are seeking ways to convey them to the authorities. This app is relevant in current times,” Khalid said. But this app isn’t the teenager’s first political endeavour. During the 2019 general elections he created a website, www.loksabhaelections.com, to enable voters to examine poll results. “I turned to my father and uncle for technical support, but the idea was mine,” he said, agreeing with the need for more young voices in the political space.