BREAKING NEWS
What unites these movements is not only their cause but their method — hashtags, viral videos, and digital petitions. For Gen-Z, democracy is not just a ballot box ritual every five years; it is a 24/7 demand for responsiveness.
Democracy, hailed as the world’s most resilient political system, is facing a new test: the impatience and aspirations of Generation Z. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, this generation is digital-first, socially conscious, and unafraid to question authority. From the climate strikes in Europe to student protests in South Asia, Gen-Z has emerged as both a critic and a custodian of democratic ideals.
The Global Scene
Across the world, Gen-Z has challenged the old order through both online campaigns and street protests. Greta Thunberg’s school strikes for climate in Sweden snowballed into a worldwide youth movement, forcing governments to debate environmental accountability. In the United States, movements such as March for Our Lives, led by teenagers after school shootings, spotlighted the failures of political leadership on gun control.
What unites these movements is not only their cause but their method — hashtags, viral videos, and digital petitions. For Gen-Z, democracy is not just a ballot box ritual every five years; it is a 24/7 demand for responsiveness.
The Indian Picture: Youthful Energy, Uneasy Faith
India, home to the world’s largest Gen-Z population, presents a unique case. With over 65% of its people under 35, Indian democracy depends on its young citizens more than any other. Yet their engagement is often conflicted.
Campus Uprisings
Student-led protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019–20 demonstrated how universities like Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University became epicentres of dissent. For many, it was their first direct confrontation with state power.
Digital Amplification
The farmers’ protests of 2020–21 were sustained in part by Gen-Z voices online. TikTok creators, Instagram influencers, and young diaspora communities abroad globalized what was once a local agrarian movement.
Climate and Equality
Indian youth groups linked with international campaigns like Fridays for Future, demanding accountability for environmental degradation and inclusion in policy-making.
But alongside this energy lies disenchantment. Youth voter turnout in India remains patchy. Many young Indians complain that politics is dominated by dynasties, corruption, and rhetoric rather than delivery. Their activism thrives in the streets and online, but often does not translate into the ballot box.
Nepal: Democratic Aspirations in a Young Republic
Nepal’s story illustrates Gen-Z’s potential to reshape fragile democracies. After decades of monarchy and political instability, the 2015 Constitution established Nepal as a federal republic. Today, more than 40% of Nepal’s population is under 25, and their expectations are high.
Student Protests
Youth-led agitations against corruption in medical education forced reforms and highlighted the power of young citizens.
Digital Engagement
During the COVID-19 pandemic, young Nepalis used TikTok and Facebook not only for entertainment but for mobilizing relief campaigns and holding the government accountable for mismanagement.
New Leadership
The election of Balen Shah, a rapper-turned-independent candidate as Kathmandu’s mayor in 2022, signaled a shift. Young voters sought fresh faces over entrenched party leaders.
Yet skepticism persists. Many young Nepalis criticize mainstream parties for recycling leaders from the past and failing to create jobs. For them, democracy is still aspirational but increasingly judged by delivery, not rhetoric.
Zooming further into the local, Kashmir represents perhaps the most complex test case for Gen-Z and democracy. The region’s youth have grown up amidst political uncertainty, security concerns, and socio-economic challenges. For many, democracy has often felt distant, overshadowed by conflict and competing narratives of governance.
Electoral Participation
Voter turnout in Kashmir has historically been lower than the national average, reflecting alienation and distrust. However, in pockets, young candidates contesting panchayat and urban body elections have created sparks of engagement.
Digital Expression
Kashmiri Gen-Z, despite internet restrictions at times, has carved a digital voice through poetry, art, and social media, expressing aspirations for peace, employment, and dignity.
Youth Movements
Civil society groups led by young people have focused on education, drug de-addiction, and entrepreneurship. While these are not overtly political, they reflect an attempt by Gen-Z to build spaces of resilience where democracy can take root meaningfully.
Kashmiri Gen-Z, like their peers elsewhere, desires inclusion — but they demand it in ways that account for their unique political and cultural context. For them, democracy must be more than elections; it must be about trust, fairness, and opportunity.
The Digital Dilemma: Strength and Weakness
Whether in Stockholm, Delhi, Kathmandu, or Srinagar, Gen-Z’s strength lies in its digital prowess. They can mobilize millions with a hashtag, challenge misinformation, and globalize local struggles. But this same reliance on digital tools creates vulnerabilities:
“Clicktivism” risks replacing long-term commitment with momentary outrage.
Online echo chambers deepen polarization, making constructive debate harder.
Misinformation spreads faster than fact, undermining informed decision-making.
Towards a Gen-Z Friendly Democracy
For democracy to adapt and thrive, institutions must engage this restless generation. Some ways forward include:
Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making
Youth parliaments, mock legislatures, and participatory budgeting can give young voices formal channels.
Civic Education: Schools and universities must focus not just on political rights but also on civic duties and critical thinking.
Lowering Barriers for Young Leaders: Encouraging independent candidates and lowering the entry barriers to politics can open space for Gen-Z leaders.
Digital Transparency
Governments must use technology not only for surveillance but also for openness — publishing data, inviting feedback, and enabling real-time engagement.
Conclusion: The Test of Adaptation
Gen-Z does not seek to dismantle democracy; they seek to redefine it. They see democracy not as a once-in-five-years ritual but as a continuous, participatory process. From climate strikes in Europe to campus protests in India, from youth leaders in Nepal to Kashmiri protests over Mehraj Malik, their message is clear: democracy must evolve, or risk irrelevance.
The future of democracy, in South Asia and beyond, will be judged by how well it adapts to the aspirations of this impatient, idealistic, and digitally empowered generation. If engaged meaningfully, Gen-Z could be democracy’s greatest renewal. If ignored, they could be its sharpest critics.
Email:---------------------------hannanajaz7780@gmail.com
What unites these movements is not only their cause but their method — hashtags, viral videos, and digital petitions. For Gen-Z, democracy is not just a ballot box ritual every five years; it is a 24/7 demand for responsiveness.
Democracy, hailed as the world’s most resilient political system, is facing a new test: the impatience and aspirations of Generation Z. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, this generation is digital-first, socially conscious, and unafraid to question authority. From the climate strikes in Europe to student protests in South Asia, Gen-Z has emerged as both a critic and a custodian of democratic ideals.
The Global Scene
Across the world, Gen-Z has challenged the old order through both online campaigns and street protests. Greta Thunberg’s school strikes for climate in Sweden snowballed into a worldwide youth movement, forcing governments to debate environmental accountability. In the United States, movements such as March for Our Lives, led by teenagers after school shootings, spotlighted the failures of political leadership on gun control.
What unites these movements is not only their cause but their method — hashtags, viral videos, and digital petitions. For Gen-Z, democracy is not just a ballot box ritual every five years; it is a 24/7 demand for responsiveness.
The Indian Picture: Youthful Energy, Uneasy Faith
India, home to the world’s largest Gen-Z population, presents a unique case. With over 65% of its people under 35, Indian democracy depends on its young citizens more than any other. Yet their engagement is often conflicted.
Campus Uprisings
Student-led protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019–20 demonstrated how universities like Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University became epicentres of dissent. For many, it was their first direct confrontation with state power.
Digital Amplification
The farmers’ protests of 2020–21 were sustained in part by Gen-Z voices online. TikTok creators, Instagram influencers, and young diaspora communities abroad globalized what was once a local agrarian movement.
Climate and Equality
Indian youth groups linked with international campaigns like Fridays for Future, demanding accountability for environmental degradation and inclusion in policy-making.
But alongside this energy lies disenchantment. Youth voter turnout in India remains patchy. Many young Indians complain that politics is dominated by dynasties, corruption, and rhetoric rather than delivery. Their activism thrives in the streets and online, but often does not translate into the ballot box.
Nepal: Democratic Aspirations in a Young Republic
Nepal’s story illustrates Gen-Z’s potential to reshape fragile democracies. After decades of monarchy and political instability, the 2015 Constitution established Nepal as a federal republic. Today, more than 40% of Nepal’s population is under 25, and their expectations are high.
Student Protests
Youth-led agitations against corruption in medical education forced reforms and highlighted the power of young citizens.
Digital Engagement
During the COVID-19 pandemic, young Nepalis used TikTok and Facebook not only for entertainment but for mobilizing relief campaigns and holding the government accountable for mismanagement.
New Leadership
The election of Balen Shah, a rapper-turned-independent candidate as Kathmandu’s mayor in 2022, signaled a shift. Young voters sought fresh faces over entrenched party leaders.
Yet skepticism persists. Many young Nepalis criticize mainstream parties for recycling leaders from the past and failing to create jobs. For them, democracy is still aspirational but increasingly judged by delivery, not rhetoric.
Zooming further into the local, Kashmir represents perhaps the most complex test case for Gen-Z and democracy. The region’s youth have grown up amidst political uncertainty, security concerns, and socio-economic challenges. For many, democracy has often felt distant, overshadowed by conflict and competing narratives of governance.
Electoral Participation
Voter turnout in Kashmir has historically been lower than the national average, reflecting alienation and distrust. However, in pockets, young candidates contesting panchayat and urban body elections have created sparks of engagement.
Digital Expression
Kashmiri Gen-Z, despite internet restrictions at times, has carved a digital voice through poetry, art, and social media, expressing aspirations for peace, employment, and dignity.
Youth Movements
Civil society groups led by young people have focused on education, drug de-addiction, and entrepreneurship. While these are not overtly political, they reflect an attempt by Gen-Z to build spaces of resilience where democracy can take root meaningfully.
Kashmiri Gen-Z, like their peers elsewhere, desires inclusion — but they demand it in ways that account for their unique political and cultural context. For them, democracy must be more than elections; it must be about trust, fairness, and opportunity.
The Digital Dilemma: Strength and Weakness
Whether in Stockholm, Delhi, Kathmandu, or Srinagar, Gen-Z’s strength lies in its digital prowess. They can mobilize millions with a hashtag, challenge misinformation, and globalize local struggles. But this same reliance on digital tools creates vulnerabilities:
“Clicktivism” risks replacing long-term commitment with momentary outrage.
Online echo chambers deepen polarization, making constructive debate harder.
Misinformation spreads faster than fact, undermining informed decision-making.
Towards a Gen-Z Friendly Democracy
For democracy to adapt and thrive, institutions must engage this restless generation. Some ways forward include:
Youth Inclusion in Decision-Making
Youth parliaments, mock legislatures, and participatory budgeting can give young voices formal channels.
Civic Education: Schools and universities must focus not just on political rights but also on civic duties and critical thinking.
Lowering Barriers for Young Leaders: Encouraging independent candidates and lowering the entry barriers to politics can open space for Gen-Z leaders.
Digital Transparency
Governments must use technology not only for surveillance but also for openness — publishing data, inviting feedback, and enabling real-time engagement.
Conclusion: The Test of Adaptation
Gen-Z does not seek to dismantle democracy; they seek to redefine it. They see democracy not as a once-in-five-years ritual but as a continuous, participatory process. From climate strikes in Europe to campus protests in India, from youth leaders in Nepal to Kashmiri protests over Mehraj Malik, their message is clear: democracy must evolve, or risk irrelevance.
The future of democracy, in South Asia and beyond, will be judged by how well it adapts to the aspirations of this impatient, idealistic, and digitally empowered generation. If engaged meaningfully, Gen-Z could be democracy’s greatest renewal. If ignored, they could be its sharpest critics.
Email:---------------------------hannanajaz7780@gmail.com
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