The Telangana government will move a resolution in the state Assembly in August to lower the minimum age for contesting Assembly and Lok Sabha elections from 25 to 21 years, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy
said.
He said the proposal aims to strengthen youth participation in politics, highlighting that althoug the Gen Z (those born after 1998 and till 2012) makes up nearly 30% of India’s population but has less than 1% representation in Parliament.
“Today, I can see a smile of victory on the faces of our Gen Z brothers and sisters. You forced the Education Minister to resign… The Prime Minister has not provided any assistance to the families of those whose brothers and sisters lost their lives. That is why, on your behalf, I request all the elected representatives in Parliament from the state of Telangana to raise your voice. All the cases that have been filed should be withdrawn. The families of all the children who lost their lives should receive assistance from the Central Government,” the Telangana CM said, as quoted by ANI.
Push For Youth Representation
Reddy pointed to past instances to underline the political influence of young people. Referring to the 2021 farmers’ protests, he said the government of the day was forced to roll back three farm laws due to public pressure.
“The youth of this nation has shown power,” he said.
He also urged the Centre to take up the issue at the national level, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce a bill in Parliament.
“You should introduce this bill in Parliament along with seat enhancement, delimitation and women’s reservation,” Reddy said.
Slams Home Minister
The Telangana chief minister also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the handling of a recent incident at Jantar Mantar.
“Amit Shah has to take responsibility for what happened at Jantar Mantar, how did tear gas come there, and why was lathi charge used?” he said.
On July 20, students of the country had given a call for a march to the Parliament with the intention of demanding the resignation of the now former Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, in the wake of the paper leaks in several exams, not least of them the NEET (for admission to medical colleges) that reportedly affected 20 lakh aspirants.
