“The Youth Have Shaken What Politics Could Not”
Is the NEET episode the beginning of a larger political awakening in India? That may sound like a bold question today, but it deserves to be asked. What the century-old Congress Party could not achieve, what leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Pawar, the Thackerays and many others could not accomplish, what high-profile voices and protests—from the Patidar agitation to the anti-CAA/NRC movement and the farmers’ protest—ultimately failed to do, may have been set in motion by the YOUTH of this country. It was not an opposition party, a celebrity, or an ideological campaign that shook the confidence of the Modi government—it was young Indians demanding fairness, accountability, and respect. The government’s casual, wait-and-watch approach, followed by reports of police action against protesting students, transformed disappointment into anger and anger into a powerful political message. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would do well to treat this not as an isolated protest but as a warning from a generation that has, until now, largely stood by him. India still needs strong leadership, and millions continue to place their faith in Mr. Modi and the BJP. But every government, however popular, must remember that public trust is earned anew every day. If there is one lesson from the NEET episode, it is that the aspirations of India’s youth cannot be taken for granted. This is not a roadblock to be bulldozed through—it is a speed breaker meant to slow the government down, make it listen, introspect, and reconnect with the people. A more sensitive BJP, guided by the principles it has long claimed to uphold, will emerge stronger from this moment than one that mistakes patience for permanence.
Now, speaking as someone from Maharashtra—and drawing upon over 45 years of combined political journalism experience between my father and me—I must say that many of us are deeply concerned by the direction in which the state is heading. The constant speculation over whether Devendra Fadnavis is secure in his position creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, while the treatment of Eknath Shinde raises equally confusing questions. If he is important enough to be recognised by the BJP leadership in Delhi, why do so many of his initiatives appear to remain in limbo? At the same time, while the government rightly speaks of development, the basics are being neglected. Crime is rising, suburban Mumbai continues to receive stepmotherly treatment, and a single spell of heavy rain is enough to expose the hollowness of grand infrastructure claims. Corruption, meanwhile, has reached alarming levels. There is a growing perception that the same handful of politically connected contractors continue to corner public projects, while honest officers remain the exception rather than the rule—a fact reflected in the immense public support for officers like Tukaram Mundhe & Ashwini Bhide to name a few. Discipline within the political system has all but disappeared. Leaders once rejected by the public or accused of wrongdoing are welcomed into alliances, rewarded with ministerial posts, MLC nominations or positions of influence in the name of political adjustment. This sends a dangerous message to the youth: that loyalty, integrity and merit matter less than political convenience. If this continues, Maharashtra risks witnessing an educated youth movement driven not by ideology, but by frustration with a political class that appears increasingly unaccountable. My humble appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi is simple: Maharashtra does not need more political adjustments—it needs political cleansing. The state deserves a new generation of honest, competent leaders before public faith is damaged beyond repair.
As someone from Maharashtra, I cannot ignore the growing sense of frustration across the state. While the government speaks of development, ordinary citizens are grappling with rising crime, worsening corruption, neglected infrastructure, and an increasingly unaccountable bureaucracy. Political discipline has collapsed—leaders once rejected by the public or accused of corruption are routinely rewarded with positions in the name of coalition management. This is not the Maharashtra we were promised. Equally puzzling is the silence of the RSS leadership. If Maharashtra is the ideological heartland of the RSS, why does its Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, appear absent from the conversation when the state’s governance is increasingly questioned? If the RSS can play a decisive role in mobilising cadre during elections, should it not also play a moral role in reminding governments of the values of integrity, discipline and public service between elections? These are uncomfortable questions, but they deserve answers. Otherwise, the perception will only grow that principles are remembered during campaigns and conveniently forgotten once power is secured.
Sir, Maharashtra today has one leader in whom people continue to place immense trust—Devendra Fadnavis. But one cannot ignore that his responsibilities have become overwhelming. Much of the confidence that FDI, investors, industries and citizens have in Maharashtra is built on the credibility of your leadership and his. People vote for the BJP not merely for promises, but because they believe those promises will be fulfilled under your leadership. Please do not allow that trust to weaken. The NEET episode should be treated as a warning. Not everyday a Salman Khan will come to the rescue. In today’s digital age, one mistake is enough for an entire ecosystem—from Bollywood to YouTubers, influencers and political opponents—to shape public perception before the truth emerges. We witnessed how even the BJP’s own support network struggled to respond in time, allowing doubts to take root. Sir, I may be too small to offer advice, but as an ordinary citizen, my only request is this: please protect the BJP from repeating the mistakes that once weakened others. Do not let Maharashtra’s BJP become another power centre that loses its independence, confidence and connect with the people. The nation still trusts you—please safeguard that trust with sensitivity, accountability and timely action.
Vikrant Meena Hemant Joshi.
