What’s the news?

• The 132nd Report on Election Process and Reform, presented to the Rajya Sabha in August 2023, recommends aligning the minimum age for candidacy with the voting age of 18.

Central idea

• A Parliamentary Committee has proposed reducing the age restriction on MPs and MLAs to 18 years. Though the EC has opposed the proposal, Constituent Assembly debates show several leaders back then favored lower age criteria for our lawmakers. Calling the current criteria outdated, the committee argued that legislative bodies could benefit from a wider range of perspectives.

Background

• On May 18, 1949, during the heated deliberations of India’s Constituent Assembly, responsible for drafting the nation’s Constitution, a pivotal debate emerged.
• The focus was the insertion of an Article outlining criteria for prospective parliamentarians’ minimum age.
• The motion proposed setting 25 years as the entry age for the Lok Sabha and 35 years for the Rajya Sabha.
• Amidst this discourse, Durgabai Deshmukh, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle and an advocate for women’s emancipation, proposed an amendment.
• Her amendment aimed to lower the minimum age for Rajya Sabha candidacy from 35 to 30, reflecting changing times and evolving youth engagement in civic matters.
• The amendment’s adoption led to the incorporation of Article 84 and Article 173 in the Constitution, mandating 25 and 30 years as the minimum age for entry into the lower and upper houses, respectively, at both the central and state levels.

A Global Perspective on Youth Participation

• The United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2018 report highlights challenges faced by youth in accessing their rights.
• Less than 2% of parliamentarians worldwide are under 30, indicating a lack of youth representation.
• Countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada have embraced young candidates with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives.
• European nations such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Ireland have set lower minimum age requirements for candidates.
• Fridays for the Future, led by Greta Thunberg, exemplifies the influence of youth-led activism on global issues.

Youth and Political Participation in India

• Student Politics and University Campuses:
  • University campuses, traditionally seen as breeding grounds for free debate and critical thinking, have played a pivotal role in nurturing young leaders.
  • The Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations in 2012, which introduced upper age limits for student union elections, marked a transformative shift.
  • Recent statistics reveal that student union office-bearers at top Indian universities have an average age of 22.5 years, reflecting more youthful leadership.
• Panchayat-Level Representation:
  • At the grassroots level, efforts to infuse youth representation have resulted in significant positive changes.
  • In various states, a growing number of individuals aged 21 and above have found representation in roles such as village pradhan and block pramukh.
  • This demonstrates a trend towards acknowledging the capabilities and perspectives of younger individuals in local governance.
• Parliamentary Representation:
  • However, this progressive trend is not consistently reflected at the national parliamentary level.
  • An analysis of India’s parliamentary history shows a decline in the percentage of MPs aged 25–40 from 26% in the first Lok Sabha to 12% in the current 17th Lok Sabha.
  • Despite India’s young country status, with 65% of the population below 35 years old, the average age of MPs remains relatively high.

The Impact of Youth Representation: Amplifying Progressive Agendas

• Visibility of Youth-Centric Issues:
  • Diverse representation in parliament ensures increased visibility of issues pertinent to youth.
  • The long-standing demand for women’s reservation quotas highlights the effectiveness of targeted representation in addressing gender-specific concerns.
  • Similarly, youth representatives can champion matters like technology, unemployment, and education, shaping policies that resonate with younger generations.
• Contemporary Relevance and Innovation:
  • Young parliamentarians are poised to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex problems.
  • Issues like climate change, technology, and socio-economic disparities require dynamic approaches that youth are well-equipped to provide.
  • Their engagement can foster debates that reflect the current aspirations and challenges of the population.
• Empowerment of Underrepresented Groups:
  • Youth representation also holds the promise of empowering marginalized and minority groups.
  • The inclusivity brought about by youth engagement ensures that the concerns of various communities are adequately addressed.
  • This can contribute to a more equitable and diverse governance approach.
• Challenging Traditional Notions:
  • The presence of young parliamentarians challenges traditional notions that associate political competence solely with age.
  • Global examples of successful young leaders breaking barriers underscores the capacity of youth to drive change.
  • Age should not be a barrier to representation when youth demonstrate awareness, dedication, and commitment to their responsibilities.

Challenges Hindering Youth Inclusion

• Experience and Maturity Concerns:
  • Critics contend that younger candidates may lack the life experience and maturity required to make informed decisions on complex issues.
  • The belief that political competence is directly proportional to age is deeply ingrained, presenting a challenge to reform efforts.
• Entrenched Norms and Resistance:
  • Prevailing norms link effective leadership with advanced age, creating resistance to embracing younger candidates.
  • Societal skepticism toward entrusting significant responsibilities to youth can impede the acceptance of policy changes.
• Divergence from International Trends:
  • The Election Commission’s cautious stance on lowering the minimum candidacy age contrasts with global trends.
  • Several democracies have successfully integrated younger leaders, tapping into their fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.
• Balancing Youthful Vigor and Expertise:
  • Striking a balance between the energy of youth and the wisdom gained from experience remains a challenge.
  • Effective leadership requires not only innovative ideas but also a nuanced understanding of the intricacies of governance.
• Perception of Representation Bias:
  • Concerns exist that youth-centric representation might overshadow the needs of other demographic groups.
  • Addressing this perception and ensuring comprehensive policy formulation are essential for garnering broad support.
• Cultural and Mindset shifts:
  • Overcoming deep-rooted beliefs that equate age with political competence demands a cultural shift.
  • Effective awareness campaigns can challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment for younger leaders.

Addressing the Age Discrepancy

• The 132nd Report on Election Process and Reform, presented to the Rajya Sabha in August 2023, recommends aligning the minimum age for candidacy with the voting age of 18.
• The report highlights global practices and underscores the significance of young parliamentarians voicing contemporary issues.

Way forward

• Policy Alignment and Adaptation: Reassess existing policies to align the minimum candidacy age with the voting age, promoting consistency and inclusivity.
• Youth-Centric Educational Initiatives: Establish comprehensive political education programs and leadership training to equip young aspirants with essential governance skills.
• Cross-Generational Mentorship: Facilitate intergenerational dialogue to combine experience with innovation, allowing for a holistic approach to decision-making.
• Incentivized Youth Participation: Encourage political parties to integrate young candidates into their election strategies through incentives and tangible support.
• Collaborative Advocacy Efforts: Engage stakeholders in advocacy campaigns, leveraging global examples to advocate for reducing the minimum candidacy age.

Conclusion

• The need for a more inclusive and representative democracy demands a reevaluation of the minimum age requirements for parliamentary candidacy. As the world embraces youthful voices, India’s evolving landscape should not lag behind. A political consensus can pave the way for a more dynamic, inclusive, and progressive parliamentary system, with the potential to reshape the nation’s future.

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