Why is the youth all fired up about the success of AAP? Is it changing the face of Indian politics?Management students of the Manipal-based T. A. Pai Management Institute share their views:
Main hoon Aam Aadmi is now synonymous with youth empowerment. For years, the common man felt helpless at the hands of inaction and corruption at various levels and wanted to see the change but didn’t have the courage to begin the process himself. Then began another revolution whose motto was ‘A corruption- and inaction-free India’. What started out with the Jan Lokpal Bill took a political form and now is the Mango Man’s Party. The AAP has changed the way politics is seen in India. More importantly, there are no leaders – I am reminded of the term Har Har Mahadev (everyone is God!) and it can aptly be changed to ‘Everyone is a leader’. This party has also managed to make helpless Indian empowered, and Indians are slowly and steadily becoming the change they want to see.
India’s youth finds itself amidst a polarised world in multiple contexts – conservatism versus progressiveness, collectivism versus individualism or simply East versus West.
Confusing as it might seem, this odd situation in many ways has contributed to a greater awareness amongst the youth, a release from pessimism and to some degree, angst at the established scene of governance.
The AAP, in contrast to major political factions such as the NDA, the UPA, and the CPM, provide the youth a break from political drama and focuses on ‘cleaning up’ the system and making ‘progress’ – two terms that strike a chord in many a young mind.
Empowered with global awareness, advanced communication technology, and most importantly, a strong belief and the will to bring about change, the youth and its role in the AAP are bound to change the face of Indian politics.
– Debayan Bhattacharjee
The AAP was able to connect to the Indian youth with ‘the intent to change’.
I think this is where it had a clear edge over other stalwart political parties.
The AAP clearly distanced itself from the usual caste-based and identity politics to focus strongly on the common man’s issues such as corruption, price rise, water scarcity, cost of electricity, inadequate public health facilities, poor state of government schools and women’s security. So, you can like them or dislike them but you surely cannot ignore them.
– Kartik Hariharan
A country where politics is defined more by ‘isms’ than philosophies, the AAP seems to have taken a step forward and address the real issues that look us in face.
Until recently, politics in India was viewed as the opium of the stakeholders of power and a refuge for criminals but the AAP is a breath of fresh air.
It may not personify a much needed revolution but gives a face to many issues the nation and its people are trying to cope with. This is a party which rose from amongst the masses and for the masses.
Hence, closest to the true meaning of democracy which otherwise seemed like a mockery.
We must give the AAP the benefit of doubt, it being their first time in the field, thereby facing the hurdles that one does when acting without precedence.
Nonetheless, it can truly be seen as the founding stone to a change that many of our ancestors had lost hope of seeing in Indian politics.
– Pragati Chauhan
No wonder that youth, which forms two-thirds of the population, is disillusioned by the grand old party, a pseudo-secular party and especially the caste-based politics of regional parties. None of these parties evoke any sense of hope or act as the saviours of common man.
So, when out of nowhere, the AAP steals the show from the Congress and the BJP, people, especially youth, look up and pin their hopes on it.
The youth instantly connected with Kejriwal and the AAP.
Here is a man who is honest, well-educated and selfless and does not speak of any extravagant things but has charted out simple solutions to some everyday problems.
He doesn’t believe in caste- or religion-politics.
Although it still has a long road ahead the AAP has burst the bubble in which these so-called political giants are living, oblivious to the plight of the common man.
– Abhinav Sharma