For Kerala youth, politics is a dirty word today

Kochi: Politics is not the favoured destination of youth in Kerala today unlike in the past when they were fascinated by it. Not many now willingly sacrifice their careers to be stoned, beaten up or maimed by being in politics. Times are changing and so are the attitudes and thinking of the youth. Most of the organisations opine that there has been a decrease in the number of youth venturing into active politics due to globalisation, fast life, and new social trends.

Youth organisations make tall claims about their membership. The DYFI boasts of about 13 lakh membership, which it said was higher by 5,000 in 2010. It was about 12 lakh in 2009. The SFI says that there is an increase in membership. In 2011, it had about 13.7 lakh, which was 12 lakh in 2010 and 11 lakh in 2009. The Youth Congress had a membership of about 5 lakh in 2010-11, but it does not have any data of previous years. The ABVP also claims increased membership. While it had 45,000 in 2011, it was 32,000 in 2010, and 29,000 in 2009. But these claims are not supported by ground reality.

For the younger generation, politics is nothing but scams, scandals, murders and squabbling. Given that politics has become a constant push and pull of religion, caste and feud as well, the youth do not consider it worth their time. Maijo Ignatius, an MBA student, says he is not interested in the present politics. “There are hardly any politicians who could be made role models. Corruption, vested interest and nepotism are ruling the roost in politics today,” he says.

Politics is not the favoured destination of the youth today unlike in the past when they were fascinated by it.

Shanjith, a BTech student of NSS college in Palakkad, says he is immersed in studies and does not get time for politics. “Politics is a real waste of time,” he says.

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