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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Should India lower its voting age?
Written by Anandini Dar A young activist, Ridhima Pandey, at age 11 in September 2019, led a strike in Dehradun, drawing attention to government inaction on the extreme weather and deforestation plaguing northern India. After experiencing the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, Pandey became a champion for climate change. She also led strikes aligning with the Global Fridays for Futures Movement. When she was 9 years old, she filed a case via the National Green Tribunal against the Indian government for its inaction regarding the future of children, calling for a carbon budget and a national climate recovery plan. On the other hand, working-class children and other marginalised young people are fighting for basic rights to living conditions, healthcare, dignity, and justice. Mexican anthropologist Valentina Glockner discusses how non-state actors engage with migrant Adivasi and Dalit children who work in Bangalore, an urban city in southern India, to educate them and support them in accessing their rights. She argues that in the interactions between the children and the NGO staff, it was apparent that working children are highly vocal and aware of the injustices they face, yet operate within the context of the 'weight that the existing social and symbolic order places upon them.' Children today are engaging in rights-based movements for their futures and are invested in civic and political issues at as early as 11 years old. Their investment in the future can contribute to the growth of the nation, and hence, including their voices is essential. B R Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, among other things, advocated for democracy as a tool for ensuring social and economic equality. As children continue to hold low social, economic, and educational standing, a criterion for being a minority according to Ambedkar, I argue that they are minorities who are marginalised and ought to be enfranchised. Historically, marginalised communities were disenfranchised owing to their low social status and consequently, low literacy rates. Today, many of the arguments against granting children the right to vote, or lowering the age of voting below 18 years, a general standard across most countries, are akin to those made at the time of India's Independence, wherein there was a resistance to include 'poor' and landless persons as enfranchised. For instance, many members of the Indian Constitutional Assembly in 1947 were against a universal adult franchise. I wrote elsewhere, 'Some members argued that it was an 'impractical endeavour' as there was limited education in India, and the vote would be a 'dangerous weapon' in the hands of the uneducated or the illiterate. Such expressions are nothing less than how the British displayed colonial and racist ideologies of domination and exclusion, as they sought to limit the franchise to the privileged alone.' (Dar, 2022, p. 122). Recently, the UK government announced their plans to include 16-17-year-old children as registered voters. This move is being discussed as bringing about a parity in the voting age across the island, including Scotland and Wales, which have already reduced the voting age for their citizens to 16 years. In 1988, in a watershed moment, India's 61st constitutional amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years. This change was brought about to increase the participation of the youth in the electoral process of the country. Low voter turnout, especially among young voters, has been a major cause of concern for the Election Commission of India (ECI). In the UK, young people are responding excitedly to the prospect of a lowered voting age. They are asking for the education system to include materials on political and civic education at earlier stages in schools. While engaging in such studies, young people will also be interested in participating in and testing out their right to vote. These educational programmes may also encourage greater voter turnout at earlier ages. Globally, several other countries, including Germany, Austria, Malta, Estonia, Argentina, Nicaragua, and some others, have lowered their voting age from 18 to 16 years. Since many children are employed at 16 years in India, and are taxpayers, they also ought to have the right to vote for the representatives who may best serve their interests. Given greater global connectivity and meanings of shared global childhoods and youth across class backgrounds, there is a need to include children in the democratic processes through the franchise, enabling a more just present and future. At the very least, enfranchisement offers a universal parity to all citizens for political representation, and creates avenues for greater accountability directly towards the young. India should not be far behind in considering what is becoming a global move vis-à-vis suffrage rights for children. Many young people in this country are politically motivated and have been at the forefront of several political and ecological issues that concern our collective futures. Thus, to strengthen their collective voices and aspirations for a just and shared future, it is crucial that they have a political voice. The right to vote would ensure greater accountability from our political leaders, who tend to, at best, dismiss young people as petulant or, worse, as easy targets of state repression. Lowering the voting age would also broaden the election manifestos with a greater focus on child rights, quality education, and gender justice. The writer is associate professor, BML Munjal University
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Chhattisgarh's Tiriya gram sabha recognised globally for community-led forest governance
RAIPUR: Tucked deep inside south Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, Tiriya village has been recognised among the top 15 mentions, out of the 190+ nominated communities, for the 2025 Collective Action Awards by the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). Tiriya's model stands as a resilient example on how tribal (Adivasi) communities can lead inclusive, sustainable development rooted in traditional knowledge and collective action in Bastar region. The RRI is a global coalition of grassroots organisations aimed at improving coordination and support for the recognition of land rights for indigenous people across Africa, Asia and Latin America. The global efforts intended to safeguard nature and preserve traditional knowledge for future generations are much appreciated. The achievement of Tiriya has been supported by the Bastar-based team of ATREE, which has facilitated key steps in the community forest rights (CFR) claim-making and community planning processes. The global recognition celebrates Tiriya's exemplary grassroots efforts in securing community forest rights, strengthening collective governance and pioneering a self-sustaining eco-tourism model.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Multi-purpose centre equipped with AI-learning tools established at Limbuguda in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as a mini-library, computer systems and AI-based learning tools, the Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC) at the remote Limbuguda village in Wankidi mandal of Telangana's tribal heartland of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district is poised to be a boon for local tribals, especially women and children. The centre has been developed as a pilot model under the PM JANMAN scheme with the support of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Utnoor, and the district administration. Billed as first-of-its-kind in tribal areas of the country, it has Non-Communicable Disease (NCD), Antenatal Check-Up (ANC) and telemedicine centres, official sources said. The Education Room has been equipped with computer systems and AI-based learning tools for the benefit of students of Mandal Parishad Primary schools and Tribal Welfare Primary schools. The MPC will also serve as a platform for tribal communities to market their products. The conference room is equipped with a projector for multi-purpose use to host meetings and interactive sessions for the benefit of local tribal communities. The MNC's walls have been aesthetically painted highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Adivasi communities and inspiring stories of legendary Adivasi leaders like Gond martyr Kumram Bheem. The model MPC drew praise from Minister of State for Road, Transport & Highways and Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra during his recent visit to the centre. During his interaction with students and local tribals, he appreciated the efforts of the ITDA and the district administration in developing the MPC.
UPI
2 days ago
- UPI
On This Day, July 22: Longest total solar eclipse of 21st century
1 of 3 | A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 44th Fighter Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, releases a flare over Okinawa, Japan, July 22, 2009, during a total solar eclipse. File Photo by Airman 1st Class Chad Warren/U.S. Air Force | License Photo July 22 (UPI) -- On this day in history: In 1864, in the first battle of Atlanta, Confederate troops under Gen. John Hood were defeated by Union forces under Gen. William Sherman. In 1916, a bomb hidden in a suitcase exploded during a Preparedness Day parade on San Francisco's Market Street, killing 10 people and injuring 40. The parade was in support of the United States' entrance into World War I. In 1933, Wiley Post completed his first solo flight around the world. It took him 7 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes. In 1934, bank robber John Dillinger died in a hail of bullets from federal agents outside Chicago's Biograph Theater. UPI File Photo In 1991, police arrested serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, finding human body parts stored in his refrigerator and freezer, and others decomposing in chemicals in a 57-gallon drum. Dahmer confessed to 17 murders in all. In 1992, cartel boss Pablo Escobar vanished along with 10 fellow prison inmates after they staged a riot and held four high-level government officials hostage for some 20 hours in Bogota, Colombia. In 1994, a U.S. federal judge ordered The Citadel, a state-financed military college in Charleston, S.C., to open its doors to women. File Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/UPI In 2003, Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusai were killed by U.S. forces in a 6-hour firefight at a house in Mosul in northern Iraq. In 2009, millions of people across Asia sought vantage points to view a rare 6 1/2-minute total solar eclipse, longest of the 21st century. It will not be surpassed until 2132. In 2022, Indians elected their first Indigenous tribal president, Droupadi Murmu, a former schoolteacher from the Adivasi community. In 2024, the Israeli military launched attacks on the safe zones of Khan Younis in Gaza, killing dozens of people. The Israel Defense Forces ordered tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians to leave the vicinity ahead of the strikes.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
GO 49 to create new tiger conservation reserve kept in abeyance over Adivasi concerns
The State government on Monday (July 21) declared that the proposal to create Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve — tiger corridor area connecting Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra — is being kept in abeyance. The State government's decision comes in the wake of concerns raised by tribals and public representatives across tribal areas and detailed discussions held with various stakeholders. The GO.49 dated May 30, 2025, issued by Environment, Forests, Science & Technology department, potentially displaces tribal residents in more than 330 villages from their traditional habitat and restricts their forest rights and livelihoods. It aims at converting 1.49 lakh hectares across multiple forest ranges in Kumurambheem-Asifabad district, including Asifabad, Kerameri, Rebbena, Tiryani, Kagaznagar, Sirpur, Karjelli, Bejjur, and Penchikalpet into the 'Kumurambheem Conservation Reserve' as an extension to Kawal Tiger Reserve. Adivasi organisations who led sustained protests had maintained that the order was violative of their rights as per Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, that aims at empowering tribal communities in the country's Scheduled Areas. The government, sensing widespread protests, called for a report from the District Collector to address the situation comprehensively. Later, the situation was also studied and reviewed by Minister for Forests Konda Surekha, Adilabad District In-charge Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Minister for Panchayat Raj Dansari Anasuya. According to officials, the findings and recommendations were submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy by the District Collector on July 11, and the decision to withhold the order until further notice followed on Monday. Ms. Surekha stated: 'Congress government is people's government. We will never take any decision that harms the rights or livelihoods of Adivasis and tribal communities. The concerns of the local people have been heard, and action has been taken accordingly. The welfare of every citizen, especially our tribal brothers and sisters, remains our top priority.'
