‘The messaging has been confusing’

The sparks from CJP’s protests in Delhi set Mumbai ablaze as huge crowds of protestors arrived at Shivaji Park the past week. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE

For 24-year-old Ansh Mehta, returning to India meant returning to the streets. Having witnessed the CAA-NRC protests during a visit home, he says he came back to the demonstrations for solidarity. "It's very easy to fall into this boomer mentality that nothing will change," he says, "But seeing people act on hope reminds you that something is possible. I wanted to feel that sense of community and know I'm not alone." His participation is a rebuttal to the perception that young people only perform activism online.

At the same time, Mehta believes the movement must sharpen its political messaging. "The biggest drawback has been a lack of pointed communication from spokespersons of the CJP, falling short of the full scale of demands the youth has. But the decentralisation of protests have been helpful in blocking the government's usual populist tactics - which is promising."

Fellow protestor Abhay Mehta echoes that frustration but says showing up matters even when outcomes remain uncertain. "We don't know what outcome is really going to come out of it, but this is an outlet for a lot of frustration," he says. Acknowledging his own privilege, he adds, "Posting online has its limits. We were lucky enough to be able to show up, and if we don't, we're letting the current system continue unquestioned."