Governments Must Address Youth Concerns Before Public Movements Emerge: Kethireddy
Chennai, June 7 (TNT): Tamilnadu Telugu Yuva Sakthi (TNTY)Founder President Kethireddy Jagadishwara Reddy on Sunday called upon both the Central and State governments to address the aspirations and concerns of the country’s youth with responsibility and urgency.
In a statement, Reddy said millions of educated young Indians are facing frustration and uncertainty due to inadequate employment opportunities despite completing higher education.
Concerns over competitive examinations, transparency in recruitment processes and career prospects are further increasing anxiety among the youth, he said.
He stressed that governments should view these issues not merely as administrative challenges but as significant social concerns requiring immediate attention.
Drawing lessons from history, Reddy said public movements born out of genuine concerns cannot be ignored. Referring to the 2017 Jallikattu movement in Tamil Nadu, he noted that what began as a student-led agitation eventually grew into a mass movement involving lakhs of people from various sections of society, including youth, women, farmers, employees and traders.
According to him, the movement was not driven by political parties but emerged from a collective desire to protect cultural identity, self-respect and tradition.
The widespread public support eventually compelled governments to respond through legislative and legal measures, demonstrating the strength of democratic public sentiment.
Reddy observed that when disappointment and frustration increase among young people, they generally choose democratic means such as peaceful public movements or the ballot box to express their aspirations.
He said recent years have witnessed growing discussions in Tamil Nadu regarding employment opportunities, governance and political alternatives.
He cited the emergence of actor Vijay’s political movement as an example of how public aspirations can find expression through democratic processes, reflecting changing expectations among the electorate, particularly the youth.
The youth leader said concerns relating to education, employment, competitive examinations and welfare are being debated not only in India but across the world. Governments, he added, must recognize these signals early and respond effectively.
Emphasising the importance of dialogue and accountability in a democracy, Reddy said public grievances should be addressed before people feel compelled to take to the streets.
Failure to do so could make public movements inevitable, he cautioned.
He further stated that governments which understand public sentiment and respond promptly to people’s concerns earn lasting trust and respect from citizens.
Concluding his remarks, Reddy said the power of youth should never be underestimated.
At the same time, he urged young people to continue expressing their views through peaceful and democratic means, noting that history has repeatedly shown that movements which gain public trust are often the ones that bring about meaningful change.
TNT KS
