A Gradual Awakening

The last few weeks have been quite encouraging as well as tormenting at the same time. On one hand, there have been thousands of young students taking over the streets to protest against the citizenship amendment bill and on the other hand, they have been beaten, harassed and killed for speaking up their minds. Freedom of speech and expression appears to have taken a beating.

A peaceful protest goes through the scrutiny by the policemen. They wait with tear gases and lathis and of course the rifles and other ammunition to ward off the protesters. So, a protester has to be mindful of all that can harm oneself physically and mentally. Young student protesters in Delhi braved the biting cold this winter season which was the lowest in the last 118 years. They sang the national anthem at India Gate in the chilling weather during the last hours of 2019 when the whole world was celebrating the New Year’s Eve. 

These protesters do not have any vested interests. They only want their voice to be heard and respected. It’s commendable to see these youngsters sacrificing their lives and coming out on the streets in large numbers.

Joining a peaceful protest in itself is a brave step. It shows how strong and determined one can get his or her voice heard. Honestly speaking does it come very easy for us to stand on dharna or protest against something? My answer would be no. Majority of the population would be beleaguered by the traffic disruption on the roads or public transport stoppage on account of any such protests. It becomes a question of comfort and safety for the general public. Therefore it is not everyone's cup of tea. 

One may argue that for students it must be easy as they are not bound by any family or financial obligations. This is absolutely not a valid argument. A student’s academic performance builds the foundation for their future career. So they are putting the very foundation at stake not to mention risking their lives. On the other hand, purely academics do not shape one’s personality so it is equally important for the youngsters to be aware of what’s happening around the world and never hesitate to speak their mind and give their opinions. The current protests can be seen as a positive outcome for students uniting and taking up a cause at a national level. Protesting for a cause by students should not be seen as a political vendetta. It is a sheer unified voice to put forth their demands which ultimately should have a listening ear.

In today’s India, youngsters have become bolder and fearless. The JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union) president has been fighting against the hostel fee hike with the HRD (Human Resources Department) ministry in the aftermath of a severe head injury involving sixteen stitches on her skull.

It is very encouraging to see that students all over the country taking up critical issues on subjects pertinent to the national constitutional fabric as opposed to the normal apathy expected from these young minds in relation to the ongoing current affairs and issues. 

In a world where we have a sixteen-year-old girl, Greta Thunberg leading the cause on climate change, we cannot expect our youngsters back home to remain indifferent towards current affairs anymore. They cannot be just asked to remain bookworms preparing for theoretical exams. They need to become opinionated and they need to remain vocal and they should peacefully protest whenever they identify anything to be unjustified.

It is also important that for these young minds to be encouraged to speak, we also need to create a favourable climate. Their voices of dissent cannot remain unheard incessantly. There needs to be an unbiased platform where they can debate and discuss their grievances. It cannot remain unheard for time immemorial.

After all, they are the future of our nation, if we do not listen to their dissent then who will?

As for the youngsters, they can adhere to what Mahatma Gandhi said, “ Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest of the weapons of destruction devised by the ingenuity of men”