Modi’s Gamble on Gen Z: A Desperate Bid to Reconnect?

The Modi government’s announcement that a Union minister will visit one university every day as part of its “One Day, One University” initiative has been met with skepticism. This move is seen by many in India as a reactive measure to quell growing discontent among students rather than a thoughtful effort to genuinely address their concerns.

The NEET paper leak issue remains simmering, and the government’s decision to assign education minister Pralhad Joshi and youth affairs and sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to coordinate with universities and other Union ministers smacks of a last-ditch effort to salvage its reputation. The fact that this initiative was discussed at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just days after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as education minister suggests that the government is scrambling to regain lost ground.

The scale of the proposed outreach is significant, with over 1,300 universities set to host a minister each day. However, this massive exercise raises more questions than answers. How will these visits translate into meaningful engagement between students and ministers? Will interactions be limited to photo opportunities or scripted dialogues, or will they provide a genuine platform for students to express their concerns?

The government’s focus on young people comes at a time when student protests have become a recurring feature of Indian politics. The opposition has capitalized on these sentiments, using them as a rallying cry against the ruling party. By investing heavily in outreach programs and initiatives aimed at young Indians, Modi’s government is attempting to preempt this narrative and rebrand itself as a champion of youth welfare.

However, this approach carries risks. In recent years, we have seen how attempts by governments to co-opt students or manipulate their sentiments can backfire spectacularly. The legacy of the 2019 Delhi University student protests against the CAA still lingers, with accusations that students were used as pawns in a larger game of politics.

The proposed university visits are part of a broader strategy that has seen the government announcing various initiatives aimed at young Indians. These include free online coaching and artificial intelligence skilling programs, sports talent hunts, and civil defense networks. Modi’s administration is trying to present itself as a savior for India’s youth. However, this approach raises questions about the government’s intentions.

Is the “One Day, One University” initiative a genuine attempt to reconnect with young people or just another PR stunt? Will these visits provide students with meaningful opportunities for engagement and feedback, or will they be reduced to mere photo ops? As we wait to see how this experiment unfolds, one thing is clear: Modi’s gamble on Gen Z is a high-stakes game that could either salvage his government’s reputation or further alienate the very people it claims to represent.

The stakes are high, and the outcome far from certain. India’s young people will be watching this drama unfold with great interest, and their verdict will shape the course of Indian politics for years to come.