top of page

By:

Anil D. Salve

21 March 2026 at 2:41:09 pm

Why Generation Z Refuses TO Be Silenced

We often complain that today's youth are difficult to understand. Perhaps the real problem, however, is not Generation Z-it is our inability to communicate with them. Instead of learning how they think, speak, and engage with the world, we often expect them to fit into frameworks created by previous generations. Generation Z is among the most informed, courageous, and globally connected generations in history. Born into the age of the internet and social media, they have grown up with...

Why Generation Z Refuses TO Be Silenced

We often complain that today's youth are difficult to understand. Perhaps the real problem, however, is not Generation Z-it is our inability to communicate with them. Instead of learning how they think, speak, and engage with the world, we often expect them to fit into frameworks created by previous generations. Generation Z is among the most informed, courageous, and globally connected generations in history. Born into the age of the internet and social media, they have grown up with instant access to information and diverse perspectives. They are aware not only of events in India but also of developments across the world-from Iran and the United States to Nigeria, Europe, and beyond. This global exposure has shaped a generation that is confident, informed, and willing to express its opinions. Yet they are frequently judged by outdated standards. Rather than trying to understand their aspirations, their language, and their methods of communication, many continue to measure them by the expectations of an earlier era. This is where the disconnect begins. Generation Z has developed a new language of civic and political expression-one that traditional institutions have often struggled to understand. To engage meaningfully with this generation, we must first learn this new language instead of dismissing it. Recent events have demonstrated how a seemingly simple demand can evolve into a broader movement centred on justice, accountability, freedom, and democratic values. When young people feel unheard or misunderstood, their concerns naturally expand into deeper questions about governance and the systems that shape their lives. This is no longer a phenomenon confined to one city or one state. Across Maharashtra and throughout India, young people are actively participating in conversations about democracy, public policy, and social change. Many who once remained indifferent to politics now believe that governance directly affects their education, employment, rights, and future. One of the greatest mistakes society can make is to underestimate this generation. They are digitally connected, socially aware, and capable of mobilising support within hours. Their movements are often driven not by political parties but by shared experiences, collective concerns, and a strong sense of justice. Unlike previous generations, Generation Z communicates through humour, satire, memes, and social media. These are not merely forms of entertainment; they have become powerful tools for political expression, civic engagement, and questioning authority. History has repeatedly shown that confident leadership welcomes criticism, while insecurity often responds with fear. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of this generation is its refusal to be governed by fear. Earlier generations often remained silent because they feared losing their jobs, facing social consequences, or inviting trouble. Increasingly, Generation Z believes that silence is no longer an acceptable response to injustice. This generation has found its voice, forged its identity, and developed the confidence to participate in public life. It understands that individual well-being cannot be separated from the well-being of society. If injustice is ignored today because it affects someone else, it may eventually affect everyone. India has witnessed numerous social movements throughout its history. What distinguishes many contemporary youth movements is that they are largely youth-led, digitally organised, and focused not only on immediate grievances but also on broader structural reforms rooted in fairness, transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity. Digital platforms have played a transformative role in this process. For Generation Z, social media is far more than a communication tool-it is a platform for building communities, organising campaigns, sharing information, and amplifying voices. Young people no longer feel isolated because they know that thousands of others stand with them, regardless of geographical distance. Equally inspiring is the compassion demonstrated by many young participants in public movements. Reports of volunteers organising food, supporting fellow participants, and even extending assistance to police personnel highlight that these movements are driven not only by resistance but also by empathy, solidarity, and a sense of shared responsibility. Their methods may be modern, but their values remain timeless. The future of India increasingly rests in the hands of a generation that is globally connected, socially conscious, technologically empowered, and unafraid to question injustice. Whether one agrees with every demand they raise or not, one reality is impossible to ignore: Generation Z has found its voice. Instead of attempting to silence, stereotype, or dismiss them, society must choose to listen, engage, and learn. Every generation reshapes the future in its own way. This generation has chosen courage over fear, participation over silence, and hope over indifference. (The writer is the Principal of Podar International School, Ausa, Latur. Views personal.)

"Exposes deep failures of state's law and order": Chirag Paswan requests Bihar CM to take strictest action in Muzaffarpur rape-murder case



Patna (Bihar): Stressing that the Muzaffarpur rape-murder case exposes the "deep failure" of state's law and order system, Union Minister Chirag Paswan has written a letter to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling for a strictest punishment for the accused involved in the incident.



In his letter, Union Minister Paswan also highlighted the negligence at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where, he said that the victim was kept waiting in the ambulance for six hours without any prior treatment.



"The horrific incident of gang rape and attempted brutal murder of a 9-year-old Dalit girl in the Kudni area of Muzaffarpur district on May 26th has shaken the entire state of Bihar. This heartbreaking event is not just the savage killing of an innocent life, but also exposes the deep failures of our state's law and order system, social consciousness, and public health system," Chirag Paswan said.



"The victim fought for her life for six days, but succumbed on June 1st at PMCH in Patna. Unfortunately, the child was made to suffer and wait for a continuous six hours in an ambulance to be admitted to the hospital," he said.



The Union Minister also asserted that the accused who gang-raped a minor child are as guilty as the doctors and administrative staff of PMCH, who, instead of providing the necessary treatment to save the child, "abandoned" her in the ambulance and wasted precious time in her treatment.



"This is not just negligence, but a crime against humanity," Chirag Paswan said.



Further, he said that representatives from his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have assured the victim of all possible justice.



"However, until strict and transparent action is taken against every culprit involved in this incident at both governance and administrative levels, justice will remain incomplete and unacceptable," he emphasised.



Chirag further demanded that all rapists involved in this heinous crime should be arrested promptly and given the harshest punishment, adding, "A high-level judicial inquiry should be conducted into the role of Hospital PMCH administration, doctors, and staff and criminal cases should be registered against the personnel who deliberately delayed treatment and showed inhumanity, ensuring their immediate suspension from service and strict departmental action."



The Union Minister also highlighted that this incident is not just the death of a child; it has become a symbol of the failure of Bihar's social system and the constitutional responsibility of the state.



"If the government remains silent on this matter, this silence will become the biggest crime," he said.



The accused had been arrested and sent to judicial custody, said Muzaffarpur SSP Sushil Kumar on Monday.



The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held in October and November this year, wherein the NDA, which consists of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will be once again looking forward to returning to power. In contrast, the INDIA Bloc will be giving competition to the incumbent Nitish Kumar government.

Comments

bottom of page