Mayawati fordert Gen Z auf, sich von BJP-Cong fernzuhalten, sagt keine ernsthaften Jugendfragen

Union minister Kiren Rijiju met with Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday in an effort to resolve the growing deadlock in Parliament. The meeting, which lasted nearly 50 minutes, aimed to address the impasse caused by the opposition’s demands for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Delhi Police’s handling of student protesters during their march to Parliament on July 20. Rijiju emphasized that the government seeks collaboration with the Congress and other opposition parties, stating, “We may be political opponents, but we are not enemies; therefore, we should work together in the national interest.” The discussions centered on the need for continuous communication and coordinated action to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament during the remainder of the Monsoon Session, which is scheduled to conclude on August 13. Rijiju confirmed that the government had requested the opposition’s cooperation on a specific issue and also engaged in broader conversations. However, the Congress leader reportedly did not commit to any formal agreement. The two also touched upon the possibility of reintroducing the Delimitation and Women's Reservation Bills, although no definitive plans were outlined. Rijiju’s comments followed a day of heightened tension in Parliament, where the opposition had threatened to disrupt proceedings unless their demands were met. The government dismissed reports suggesting that a three-day special session would be convened from August 16 to 18 to address the Women's Reservation and Delimitation Bills. The minister defended the government’s stance, noting that the home minister had been actively involved in parliamentary sessions and that the delay in implementing the Women's Reservation Bill was due to constitutional requirements tied to the delimitation process. Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and former Chief Minister Mayawati urged students and Gen Z to distance themselves from the politics of both the ruling and opposition parties. In a press release, she criticized the BJP and Congress for exploiting student issues to prevent Parliament from functioning effectively. Mayawati highlighted the need for the government to focus on resolving the genuine grievances of the youth rather than using them for political gain. She also accused the ruling BJP of undermining the reservation system, which she had previously strengthened during her tenure in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi and Rijiju exchanged views on the Women's Reservation Bill via social media, with Rijiju commenting that it appeared the Congress leader had undergone a change of heart regarding the issue. Rijiju expressed hope that the Congress would support the bill unconditionally. In response, Gandhi reiterated that the bill had already been passed in 2023 with the full backing of the Congress and questioned why it had yet to be implemented. He criticized the government’s attempt to link the bill to delimitation, arguing that the two issues should remain separate. Rahul Gandhi has been increasingly focusing on engaging with Gen Z through initiatives such as the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign, which addresses issues like paper leaks, recruitment irregularities, and unemployment. During a recent event in Prayagraj, Gandhi highlighted the struggles faced by young people, emphasizing that their degrees often do not translate into job opportunities. He also criticized the social media economy, describing the consumption of reels as an addiction of the 21st century. The BJP responded by questioning why Gandhi was addressing students in Prayagraj instead of visiting the protesting aspirants in Jharkhand. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to students had not generated the same resonance as the recent protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). He suggested that political parties must reconsider their structures to provide Gen Z with meaningful roles in shaping politics. Tharoor noted that the issues raised by the CJP had already been addressed by the Congress, but the outreach had failed to connect with the youth in the same way. The Congress faces challenges in reconnecting with the younger demographic, especially after losing significant support among millennials. Analysts suggest that the party’s efforts to engage Gen Z could play a crucial role in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, the government continues to push for the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, linking it to the delimitation process, which requires a new census. The outcome of these developments will likely influence the political landscape leading up to the 2029 general elections.