Raghav Chadha Advocates for Reducing Election Age Limit to 21 in India

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday advocated for lowering the minimum age for contesting elections in India from 25 years to 21 years. During the Zero Hour in the Upper House, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP emphasised that India, with an average age of 29 years, is among the youngest nations globally.

Representative image

Chadha pointed out that 65 per cent of India's population is under 35 years old, and over 50 per cent are below 25 years. He noted that in the first Lok Sabha, 29 per cent of elected members were under 40 years old. However, in the current 17th Lok Sabha, only 12 per cent of MPs are under 40.

Encouraging Youth Participation in Politics

The MP stressed that India is a young country led by older politicians. "We must aspire to become a young country with young politicians," he stated. Chadha also highlighted that politics is often viewed negatively in India, with parents preferring their children to pursue careers as doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, or scientists rather than politicians.

To change this perception and encourage youth participation in politics, Chadha suggested incentivising young people to enter mainstream politics. He reiterated his call for reducing the minimum age to contest elections to 21 years.

Current Age Demographics in Indian Politics

Chadha's argument is backed by demographic data showing a significant youth population in India. With such a large proportion of young people, he believes it is essential to have younger representatives in Parliament who can better understand and address their concerns.

The Rajya Sabha member's proposal aims to align the political landscape with the country's demographic reality. By lowering the age limit, Chadha hopes to see more young leaders emerge and contribute to India's development.

In conclusion, Chadha's plea to reduce the minimum age for contesting elections reflects a desire for a more youthful and dynamic political environment in India. His call for action underscores the need for policies that encourage greater youth involvement in governance and decision-making processes.