Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly Dr Mukul Sangma has issued a strong political caveat, urging those in power to remain “alert” and “conscious of their responsibilities” in order to avert a dangerous slide into youth unrest. Drawing a political parallel with the unfolding turmoil in neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh, he underscored that disillusionment among the young, if left unaddressed, could destabilize democratic institutions.
Dr Sangma said, “And you see, you have to always look at. What are the—as I have said, it is a repeatation—the factors leading to this kind of situation where the majority of the population, particularly the youth, when they see no hope, when they see no appropriate steps or measures being taken by the people in authority or the government, in other words to address their concerns, concerns of unemployment, concerns of discrimination, concerns pertaining to the sense of deprivation. All these things are capable of creating a situation thereby somehow defiling the mind of people in as far as being able to contribute for the overall peaceful and vibrant democracy.”
Warning of deliberate policy lapses, he remarked, “Now democracy is considered as one of the best forms of governance, but at the same time it depends on people who are in authority and who are vested with the responsibility of governance. When they are found to be failing and when people have risen to believe that they are either failing deliberately with predetermined malafide intention resulting in the sense of discrimination, also preparation of justice, then it has become easier for people to come together and share their frustration and anger.”
Referring to regional upheavals, Sangma pointed out, “That is what you’re seeing in our neighbouring country (Nepal). It is because today the whole socio-economic dynamics have changed because of the whole information dissemination through social media platforms. Therefore, we have to be always alert. We have to be always conscious of our responsibilities and a stitch in time saves nine—that attitude in the matter of governance is also always relevant.”
He was replying to a query on whether the ongoing turmoil in Nepal and Bangladesh—where youth are at the forefront of protests—should serve as a cautionary lesson for the government while dealing with its own young population.
