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Gul Panag on Gen Z's success at Jantar Mantar: They were perhaps dismissed too quickly
Having shown support to the current generation during Jantar Mantar protest, Gul Panag backs Gen Z for influencing change and being able to leave an impact
The student-led protests against the NEET UG paper leak last month showed that the youth of this country holds the power to make a meaningful change is they work diligently on it. The protests saw the current generation ask for accountability and join the movement from across the nation. They even received support from celebrities from all walks of life. Actor Gul Panag was also amongst them who praised the dedication shown by the students and stood by them in support.
Gul Panag insists that she is wowed by this generation and how much they are willing to go to any length to stand by what they believe is right. “Young people are no longer willing to simply complain among themselves or accept that nothing will change. They are showing up, organising peacefully, asking questions and demanding accountability. That is exactly what democratic participation should look like,” she says.
Taking the example of the protests, Panag says that it just goes on to show that the demands of the younger generation cannot be discarded owing to their lack of experience on the basis of age. “I think Jantar Mantar proved that the youth can no longer be dismissed. They may not all be part of the electorate yet, but they can influence the electorate, shape the national conversation and compel those in power to respond. Once that happens, there is no going back,” she asserts.
The current generation has also often been called out to be flimsy and commitment-phobic. They are often labelled as people who are not willing to stick to one thing, but Panag feels the opposite. “This generation was perhaps dismissed too quickly as flimsy, frivolous or interested only in social media. But social media is also how they inform themselves, organise and amplify their voices. What we are seeing now is a generation that is deeply aware of what affects its future and is prepared to stand up for it,” she concludes.
