Kanchan Kharel, 25, Masters in Development Studies, KU and General Secretary at YUWA; Anil Karki, 17 of Kathmandu School of Law and General Secretary at Nepal Youth Alliance for Peace; Sagar Karki, 21 of Pulchowk College of Engineering; Bijay Prajapati, 23 of Himalayan College of Engineering; and Ginni Bajracharya, 23 of Kathmandu Engineering College joined us for a round table talk over the topic.[break]
Bijay Rai/Republica
From L to R: Kanchan Kharel, Anil Karki, Sagar Karki, Bijay Prajapati and Ginni Bajracharya
How interested are you in politics? Would you consider it imperative that young people like you be politically conscious?
Kanchan: As concerned citizens, we have to be interested in politics and what’s happening in our country. Politics directs the way our country is headed. Right now there’s a lot of frustration amongst the youth regarding the state of our politics. We think nothing comes out of it and that the politicians cannot and are not doing anything. But the truth is that we need politics and we need leaders. Someone has to lead us. However, it’s in our hands who lead the country. If the youth understand that then not much time will pass before the political situation changes.
Anil: I am interested in politics and I keep myself updated. Politics is important. People say politics is a dirty game but I don’t believe that. Instead, I believe that not only is it important for the youth to know what’s going on but it’s obligatory. All our interests are directly or indirectly linked to politics.
Sagar: Even if we’re not directly involved, the basic interest should be there. The political system has become very bad and the political culture is also poor. Politics is considered a dirty game and to fix that every citizen should not hesitate to raise their voice.
Bijay: Politics decides a lot of things, so it’s an essential part of our lives. Important decisions are taken and it affects our country so we need to know what is happening. We have to be politically conscious.
Ginni: I’m not very interested in politics but I do like to read up on the current situation. If I have to take part actively, I would rather back off.
What can we do to ensure that the youth develop a concern for the political state of the country?
Anil: We see that the politicians and the leaders are just being selfish. In order to reach the top they don’t care about breaking down their parties. The youth are observing all this and they get frustrated with their leaders which lead to disillusionment with politics.
While immediate change is not possible, I believe that with regular discussions we can change their point of view. Awareness should be spread by us all. I remember a TV channel doing a vox pop and there was a guy carrying the UCPN flag. He was talking about how there should be no ethnic based federalism. That’s what is happening to the youth. They don’t know what’s happening, what the agenda is, they just carry the flag and maybe it’s because they are attracted by the allowance they get from the party.
Kanchan: Young people are carrying their family’s political views with them without having a proper understanding of the parties. This has to stop. Another thing is that the youth need to be very independent in terms of knowing which political party they need to subscribe. It doesn’t matter if they vote for Congress today and another party the next day, if they find the agenda suitable. Nobody is born with a certain party’s philosophy. It’s like business. You need to see what you get in return. Also, the culture of debate is sorely lacking in schools. Debating is important because it helps exchange of ideas and views. And politics should also have a common platform where they can debate. The main point is that the youth don’t know how to vote, how the election will impact the country.
Sagar: They have no idea what they should ask from politics. They don’t know how important the budget is and what the budget can do.
Bijay: There should be less talk and more action from our leaders. There’s also so much repetition going on with the leaders talking about how the constitution is still nowhere in the picture. That’s boring people to the point that they are not listening. Instead why don’t they tell us about the good things they will do, maybe like hydro projects, building roads?
Would you ever join a party?
Bijay: I wouldn’t. Because there are many leaders and many parties and too many people have links in politics. The country will just go from bad to worse if any more happens.
In your opinion, why is it important for the youth to vote?
Kanchan: When you vote, you have a stake in what happens in the country, but if you stay absent from voting then you have no right to talk about what’s happening. That’s why to vote for your right is important. And before you place your vote you should know whom you are voting for, without any outside influence.
What is the future you see for the politics of the country?
Ginni: I think what’s happening is just a phase and things will get better slowly.
Bijay: My opinion is that it’s difficult for the country to come to the right track soon. I’ve lost faith in our political system and the leaders are still playing games. When the leaders are not being able to do their jobs and they bring the Chief Justice to do the work they should be doing, I think that proves that there’s something very wrong.
Sagar: Changes will occur. We can raise our voice when we dislike something and the leaders will learn to be aware of their actions. There will be psychological pressure on them. This is how change sweeps in.
Anil: Nepal’s future is very bright and this includes in every sphere. Why I say this is because we’re asking for change very quickly.
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