Opinion Youth must be the centre of transformational politics: Tejashwi Yadav

This contest will shape the fate of progressive politics for the nation.

Tejashwi Yadav

October 12, 2015 04:52 AM IST First published on: Oct 12, 2015 at 12:00 AM IST

RJD chief Lalu Prasad during filing of nomination papers by his son and party candidate from Raghopur Tejashwi Yadav (R) in Hajipur on Saturday. (Source: PTI Photo)

In order to explicate why I am contesting the coming Bihar Assembly elections, I need to take a trip down memory lane. Since early childhood, my home has been a hub of political activity. I grew up watching and listening to people from all over India discussing several socio-political issues, particularly to do with inclusive development and social justice for people and communities on the margins of society.

Such a vivid home environment influenced my thinking in a big way. After saying adieu to cricket, I decided to pursue my other passion and decided to join the stream of transformational politics. My decision to contest the upcoming elections was, in fact, triggered by the idea that the youth must be at the centre of such politics. I believe that the young must jettison the cynicism they have developed in recent times and make their presence felt in policymaking, particularly on education and unemployment, which directly affect their lives.

[related-post]

There also seems to be a concerted attempt by a small but influential section to look at the youth as a monolith. But we cannot shut our eyes to the stark reality that the young from Dalit, tribal, minority, OBC and EBC communities have distinct requirements. They still carry the baggage of thousands of years of subjugation and exploitation. I believe there are youth from the poorer sections of the upper castes who require some measure of affirmative action as well. For any civilised society and state, it is important and urgent that it address their aspirations on a priority basis, failing which it shall be creating a few islands of prosperity amidst a vast sea of inequality and deprivation. That is certainly antithetical to the commitment made in the preamble to the Constitution.

Also read | A technocratic, solutions-first approach is needed in politics: Arijit Shashwat

We are committed to a time-bound blueprint for dealing with important sectors such as education, health and employment. If voted to power, we shall strive to have an educational system that bridges the gap between the dreams and aspirations of the underprivileged classes and the affluent. We are planning to start remedial education centres at the cluster level to attend to the learning gaps of children from marginalised communities. Besides, we are aghast at the jobless growth created by the highly skewed economic policies of the Centre. Through its brazenly partisan policies and favouritism of crony capitalists, the Narendra Modi government has further alienated the youth.

Both GDP growth as well as the climb of the Sensex ought to have a favourable impact on employment. Within 200 days of coming to power, we promise to build a chain of “young people’s regional networks” across the state to strengthen employability. The young will appreciate that we are pitted against the huge money power of our adversaries: the BJP-led NDA. Our only strength is faith, love and the commitment of the people of Bihar. This fight is between conscious deprivation and insensitive prosperity, between inclusive development with peace and crony capitalist-led growth with a divisive agenda.

This contest will shape the fate of progressive politics for the nation.

The writer, 25, is the RJD candidate from Raghopur in the Bihar assembly elections