New generation and politics don't mix

ANKIT ADHIKARI

KATHMANDU, AUG 23 

As a series of political deadlocks has left Nepali politics bereft of any excitement for even the most politically-savvy, disillusionment among youngsters is at an all-time high.

A recent survey undertaken among youngsters, parents, psychologists and politicians shows that over 65 percent of the youth living in the capital have a “hate-politics” attitude. Experts mourn that this mounting apathy of youth towards politics signals the start of an intellectual crisis that may have repercussions for the nation’s future.
 

Naturally parents are worried about their children’s opinion about politics. “It has become almost a fashion statement to declare their lack of interest or even in extreme cases, hatred,” said Mumaram Adhikari, a father of two boys.  They are not serious about anything of national importance, he lamented. “Who will take the responsibility for the nation if the youth remain unconcerned about politics?” he questioned.
 

Youths from well-to-do families  in Nepal’s cities and towns, who are in their late teens or early 20s and who attend private colleges, are more indifferent to politics than others, said Gagan Thapa, Constitution Assembly (CA) member. “The students in government colleges are more aware of politics because of various students’ unions.” Thapa said the political community should reach out to these groups to engage them constructively in politics.
 

As per the survey, a large number of youth don’t care for politics citing reasons like lack of excitement and glamour in it. “Politics is such a dirty game,” said Ranjan Adhikari, 20, a Hotel Management student at NATHMS College, Kathmandu. “Since it has no glamour in it, it is no good learning about politics.”
 

According to Adhikari, politics is nothing but “legalised robbery”. “Sitting in their chairs, the netas (leaders) get the right to rob the nation,” he added. But Suresh Gautam, 29, Adhikari’s cousin, who is also an English teacher is critical of people who distance themselves from politics without even getting a basic idea about it. “Politics has been misinterpreted by youth,” he said.
 

Psychologists blame political leaders for the increasing disillusionment. Said Ganga Pathak, a senior psychologist, “When a leader becomes unable to live up to the people’s expectations, the consequences are obvious.” She argued that the ongoing gladiatorial politics are having deeply affecting perceptions. Unless politicians become responsible and begin working on their image, a sizeable chunk of today’s youth will be lost.

Published in The Kathmandu Post -- August 24