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Why do youth resort to demonstrations in India?

A. Economic and Employment Challenges

B. Social and Political Awareness

C. Weak Grievance Redressal and Lack of Dialogue

Lead A: Economic and Employment Challenges

• India has one of the world's largest youth populations, with over 65% of its population under the age of 35. We know that the new education policy promotes entrepreneurship as a viable alternative to government jobs in India, driven by a massive national startup ecosystem and government schemes like Startup India. Unfortunately, the youth population heavily prefer government jobs (Sarkari Naukri), primarily driven by lifetime job security, strong social status, and a better work-life balance. Most of the youth are unable to find a government job and vent their frustration on the streets.
• Every year, millions of young people enter the labour market. Still, the number of quality jobs often does not keep pace. For Example, nearly 30 lakh apply for SSC CGL, while the job vacancy is only 12,000. The youth prefer to reappear rather than start a small venture in sales or services. The unemployed blame the government for a lack of opportunities and waste their time in demonstrations.
• Many graduates struggle to find employment that matches their skill set, leading to underemployment or prolonged job searches. Most students prefer cramming subjects to developing a skill set for the future. Rapid advances in technology have changed the skills industries demand. Those unable to find a career usually latch on to support issues where they can't provide solutions but demand a rapid fix through demonstrations.
• The gap between aspirations and available opportunities creates dissatisfaction among the youth who want a change in the system. It takes time for any new policy to deliver results. However, the impatient among the youth resort to protests. The solution lies in taking vocational training. For Example, being an equipment repairer is a hands-on career focused on troubleshooting, maintaining, and fixing machinery, ranging from heavy industrial engines to sensitive medical tools. More educated people can opt for the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana for short-term training and future-ready courses in fields like AI, robotics, and green tech. Others can opt for the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, which facilitates on-the-job training with stipend support distributed via Direct Benefit Transfer.

Lead B: Social and Political Awareness

• Citizens indeed have the freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions. The young environmentalists frequently mobilise physical human chains and public rallies to halt industrial destruction. Ground movements like the Save Mollem Campaign in Goa and the Save Aarey forest movement in Mumbai have seen teenagers and college students rallying against infrastructure projects invading ecologically sensitive areas.
• In a democracy, demonstrations are one of several legitimate ways for citizens to express their concerns and influence public policy. Inspired by global actions, Indian school and university student chapters regularly lead synchronised climate strikes across cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi to demand immediate laws combating air pollution and deforestation. But a more sophisticated and learned way is to debate burning global issues like a United Nations body, which are called Model United Nations (MUN) clubs or societies. For Example, Model United Nations (MUN) conferences in Bhopal are regularly hosted by premier institutions such as the National Law Institute University (NLIU), VIT and IISER Bhopal. The proceedings and the solution arrived at by the MUN club can be handed over to the concerned minister or the Vice Chancellor.
• Digital media and widespread internet access have made information available almost instantly. At times, non-issues or emotionally appealing issues drive youth to participate in rallies and demonstrations. Global youth-led climate campaigns have encouraged young people across many countries to participate in discussions and peaceful public campaigns on environmental protection.
• Young people are increasingly attracted towards issues related to education, employment, corruption, and governance. They take part in candle marches and sit-in dharna to support the cause. A prominent recent example of Indian youth organising around these core concerns is the student-led "Cockroach Party" (or Cockroach Movement) protests in New Delhi. This movement erupted as young people took to the streets to demand systemic reform and accountability.
• According to the India Employment Report 2024, brought out by the International Labour Organisation and the Institute for Human Development, nearly 83 per cent of India's unemployed are young people. Groups of unemployed young men wander about or wait at tea stalls and road crossings, some drawn into campus politics, others striking informal deals for a bit of temporary income to participate in political rallies.

Lead C: Weak Grievance Redressal and Lack of Dialogue

• Those opposing the government find it favourable to call nationwide general strikes demanding that public institutions control inflation, raise minimum wages, and reverse the privatisation of essential public services. Indeed, the citizens generally expect governments and public institutions to respond promptly to concerns related to employment, education, public services, and welfare, so they get carried away towards demonstrations and strikes. The solution lies in regular Jan Sunwais (Public Hearings) at the premises of the local politician's and district collector's offices. In Madhya Pradesh, one can file a complaint online through the CM Helpline Portal or by calling the toll-free number 181.
• Delays in decision-making or communication can create uncertainty and frustration, especially among young people. For Example, delays in recruitment processes, examination schedules, or declaration of results have, on various occasions, led students and job aspirants to organise peaceful demonstrations seeking clarity and timely action.
• Millions of complaints indeed face chronic delays and pendency across central and state portals, driving frustrated citizens to block highways and demonstrate. Democracies function best when governments, institutions, and citizens maintain open channels of communication—for Example, RTI, the MyGov citizen engagement platform and Parliamentary Consultations.
• Rural and less digitally literate populations struggle to access online portals. They find it easier and quicker to resort to demonstrations disturbing public convenience. We know that a three-tier system of redressal agencies governs consumer affairs—the District Forum, State Commission, and National Commission—established under the Consumer Protection Act. Educated youth must help the needy file complaints.
• At times, accident deaths or victims of sexual abuse need immediate help and justice; the outraged public responds by demonstration and staged protests destroying public order. The need of the hour is that the district administration, police, and NGO's respond quickly to provide relief and justice to the aggrieved.
• At times, misdirected youth take to the streets, creating a ruckus in the form of protest against some policy or law which they think is against their religion. For Example, there was a lot of hue and cry against the Triple Talaq law. Whereas the Triple Talaq law provided legal relief by making instant triple talaq illegal, removing the fear of sudden verbal divorce, and granting women rights to maintenance and child custody.