Students pose queries to politicians about youth concerns

Mangalore, Mar 23: At an interaction programme with organised in the city ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the youth gathered posed questions to the leaders from political parties about communalisation of politics in the region as well as lack of opportunity provided to youth in political parties.

Students from various colleges in the city posed questions to BJP leader Capt Ganesh Karnik, Congress leader Ivan D 'Souza, JD(S) leader Srinath Rai and Aam Aadmi Party candidate M R Vasudeva, who participated in the interaction programme.

When a student asked about the lack of opportunities given to youth in political parties, KPCC secretary Ivan D 'Souza and MLC Ganesh Karnik replied that their respective parties provided equal opportunities to youth from all religions.

Mr D 'Souza said that there were ample opportunities for educated youth in the private sector rather than government jobs. “Though the population of the state is more than 6.15 crore, opportunities in the government sector are very few. The youth should understand that the opportunities in private sector are plenty,” he said, adding that youth should not aim only on getting a government job.

A student of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, posed a query Ganesh Karnik as to why the BJP was misusing the youth and dividing them through its divisive ideology, while another student from SDM College pointed out that the BJP did not give enough opportunities to Muslim and Christian aspirants in the party.

Mr Karnik defended his party and said that the party welcomed anyone who accepted and adopted the ideology. “Political parties frame their manifesto based on policies. Ultimately, it is the voter 's decision whom to vote for. BJP did never try to divide people based on their caste and religion. In fact, there are many national leaders including Mukthar Abbas Naqvi and Sikander Bakht in BJP. There 's even a separate wing for minorities in the party,” he said.

Another student Sahana opined that politics in college campuses would create division among students. Mr D 'Souza said that the presence of youth was essential in democracy. Hence, he said, “Youth should enter politics to strengthen the democracy. Congress helps in the development of youth through leadership skills. Everything should be taken in a sportive way,” he said.

Mr Karnik said that difference of opinion was the essence of a democracy. The youth should take a holistic view of the society and understand the political maturity of the country, he said.

Social activist M G Hegde, who also participated in the interaction, posed a direct question to the local candidates of the political parties such as BJP, Congress, JD(S) and AAP whether they would dispel any communal forces who constricted the freedom of youth, if they were elected.

The interaction session was chaired by head of Department of Political Science at Mangalore University P L Dharma.

The programme was organised by Creating Resource to Empower Society Today (CREST), Rotary Club of Mangalore North and www.youthania.com. and coordinated by convenor of Centre for Integrated Learning Srinivasan Nandagopal.