Amid an intensifying ideological debate over the direction of India’s young population, the organization Young Democrats has called for mobilizing youth around constitutional values, social justice, and economic equality. K.A. Mohammed Shameer, National Joint Convenor of the group, said India stands at a historic crossroads where it will be decided whether the country’s youth become its greatest strength or a missed opportunity.
In a statement, Shameer noted that more than 65 percent of India’s population is under the age of 35, earning the country the label of a “young nation.” He said the direction provided to youth today will determine India’s social, economic, and democratic trajectory in the years ahead.
He alleged that in recent years, right-wing forces have increasingly sought to influence young people through fear, cultural supremacy, and communal polarization. According to him, instead of channeling youthful energy toward employment, innovation, scientific temper, and social harmony, it is being diverted into ideological conflicts—an alarming trend for a diverse nation.
Young Democrats described India’s tradition of “unity in diversity” as its core strength. The organization said youth must be guided to respect linguistic, religious, and cultural differences, ensuring that constitutional morality takes precedence over majoritarian aggression.
The group also highlighted structural challenges confronting young people. The statement said unemployment and underemployment remain among the most pressing concerns, with large numbers of educated youth struggling to secure stable and dignified jobs, while many are forced into precarious, low-paying work.
Expressing concern over the quality of education, Shameer said obtaining a degree alone is insufficient. He stressed the need to incorporate critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills into education so that young people are prepared for global competition.
Rising inflation, stagnant wages, and widening economic inequality were also cited as major sources of frustration among youth. The statement said that when wealth becomes concentrated in a few hands and the majority struggle to meet basic needs, social imbalance deepens, with marginalized youth bearing the brunt.
As the ideological foundation of its vision, Young Democrats invoked the ideas of B. R. Ambedkar. The organization said Ambedkar had emphasized not only political democracy but also social and economic democracy. Electoral processes alone are insufficient, it said, adding that without equality, fraternity, and equal access to economic opportunities, democracy remains incomplete.
The group urged young people not to limit their understanding of democracy to voting, but to also see it as a responsibility to uphold diversity, defend minority rights, and raise their voices against injustice.
Young Democrats also indicated plans to expand engagement with youth across campuses, workplaces, villages, and digital platforms. The organization said it would encourage young people to question policies, demand transparency, and hold institutions accountable.
Concluding his statement, Shameer said India’s future must be built on harmony, inclusion, and justice rather than hatred and division. “The time has come to move from hate to hope, from division to unity, and from inequality to justice,” he said.
Young Democrats maintained that with the right direction and guidance rooted in constitutional values, India’s youth can transform the country into a socially just, economically empowered, and democratically vibrant nation.
