Mumbai Press Club hosts discussion on Gen Z protests and India’s democratic future

As debates over the role of young people in shaping Indiarsquos democratic future continue journalists and activists came together in Mumbai on Tuesday at the Mumbai Press Club to discuss the lessons emerging from the recent Gen Z protests Titled lsquoDeepening Our Democracy Lessons from Gen Z Protestsrsquo the discussion was organised jointly by the Network of Women in Media in India NWMI Mumbai chapter and the Mumbai Press ClubFrom left Senior journalist Kalpana Sharma moderates the discussion led by Neha Bora from AISA who participated in the Jantar Mantar protests and Rhiya Yadav who was part of the Shivaji Park protests PICSASHISH RAJEThe session featured Neha Bora from the All India Students Association AISA who participated in the Jantar Mantar protests and Rhiya Yadav Rhiya Ahir who was part of the Shivaji Park protests Senior journalist Kalpana Sharma moderated the discussionProtesting not easySharing her experience Bora said ldquoJust saying lsquoDharmendra Pradhan istifa dorsquo was easy but saying lsquoEducation system badlorsquo was and is not easy Because if we demand this we should first know what the exact problem is and have solutions to the samePoints raised by Neha Boragtgt The Bill produced as a solution to paper leak issues just increases penal actions against the criminalgtgt People recruited by the National Testing Agency themselves leaked the papers investigation showed and proved links of these people with the BJPgtgt Regarding the National Education Policy to change any system you need to bring in people who look at the system differently fresh eyes and minds are the basic need to bring in changegtgt Todayrsquos education system has become more of a challenge for parents they will start sending their kids to school only when they feel the education system is not a challengegtgt You cannot have teachers doing election duties and other work other than teachinggtgt Itrsquos not only the governmentrsquos responsibility but the people let this happen for the last several years we are equally responsible for the growth of societyDemocracy at stakeUnanimously both Yadav and Bora stated that when democracy is in danger citizens will raise their voice ldquoIt was the idea that democracy meant equality that has encouraged all freedom fighters to fight for our independence Today democracy has come down to just having the right to vote If the basic idea of democracy is being burnt to ashes in all matters mdash education social equality opportunities political freedom freedom of speech and every other thing mdash people are bound to reactrdquo said BoraAsserting that raising onersquos voice does not mean being antinational Yadav said ldquoWhatrsquos wrong with expecting to live in an ideal country that too after 80 years of independence Our ancestors did not fight for independence so that we Gen Zs can again fall into clutches of some other dictators Something as basic as a girl not being able to wear what she wants and not being able to bend down without fearing the eyes of those around is disgusting Just because we criticise these living conditions and systems that let it happen doesnrsquot mean we are antinational It means that we want to make out country a better place to live inrdquoBringing in changeNeha Bora AISAlsquoThe frustration that had mounted for so many years came out in this protest Talking on social media actually made everyone say lsquoyahi toh mai bhi bol rahi hoon ye toh mai bhi soch rahi hoon I too have been saying this and feel the samersquo Everyone empathised and thatrsquos what awakened the youthrsquoRhiya YadavlsquoProtest without purpose and knowledge is dangerous I could stop the van with courage because I knew the law and because I had done my homework on all sections of BNS Knowledge gives you couragersquo