CityLightBuzz: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy addressed a massive gathering of Gen Z youth, congratulating them for what he described as a historic democratic victory following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He, however, asserted that the movement should not end with the resignation and called for justice for students affected by the NEET paper leak controversy.
Addressing the rally, the Chief Minister said the smiles on the faces of young people reflected their determination and success in forcing the Central Government to respond. He stated that the resignation was the result of the united struggle of India’s youth, but emphasized that several issues still remain unresolved.
Revanth Reddy demanded that the Central Government immediately withdraw all cases registered against students who participated in the protests and provide compensation to the families of students who allegedly lost their lives following the NEET paper leak controversy. He alleged that the Centre’s failure in conducting examinations had severely impacted the future of thousands of students.
The Chief Minister said Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and INDIA alliance MPs would continue to raise the issue forcefully in Parliament. He clarified that the gathering was not a Congress event but a platform representing the voice of India’s youth.
Calling India a nation belonging to its young generation, Revanth Reddy stressed that the country’s future depends on the future of its youth. He said the victory belonged entirely to Gen Z and that the Congress was not seeking political credit for it.
Highlighting youth participation in governance, Revanth Reddy announced that the Telangana Government would convene a special session of the Assembly and Legislative Council in the first week of August to pass a resolution urging the Centre to reduce the minimum age for contesting Assembly and Lok Sabha elections from 25 years to 21 years. He said the resolution would be forwarded to the Central Government, and Congress leaders would strive to secure its approval in Parliament.
The Chief Minister cited examples of Rajiv Gandhi lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment and former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao introducing constitutional amendments to strengthen local self-governance. He also pointed out that many young Indians have become IAS and IPS officers in their early twenties, arguing that capable youth should similarly be allowed to contest elections at the age of 21.
He further suggested that more opportunities should be given to Gen Z in policymaking, even proposing that young leaders should be considered for important portfolios such as Education and Information Technology in the future.
Revanth Reddy concluded by urging the youth not to stop their movement with one victory, but to continue fighting democratically for justice, educational reforms, and greater political representation, stating that the “Gen Z wave should become a movement for India’s future.”
