Youth Unrest - Lecture notes 5 PDF

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In Indian society, youth unrest is a very serious social issue. The majority of young people are directly or indirectly involved in various social issues. Many of them are also easily drawn to various antisocial activities for a variety of reasons, including excessive aggressiveness, frustration, an...

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YOUTH UNREST INTRODUCTION

In Indian society, youth unrest is a very serious social issue. The majority of young people are directly or indirectly involved in various social issues. Many of them are also easily drawn to various antisocial activities for a variety of reasons, including excessive aggressiveness, frustration, anxiety, and depression. Many young people are involved in various criminal activities such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, dacoity, kidnapping, sexual assault, terrorism, and so on. Many of them develop bad habits at this point, such as smoking, drug addiction, and other vices, which can lead to criminal behaviour. However, their defection into undesirable activities can be attributed to a variety of contemporary issues such as a failing educational system, unemployment, regional conflicts, religious conflict, and a failing political system, to name a few, all of which play a major role in youth unrest. Other contributing factors include a general decline in human values, an increase in individual self-centeredness, a lack of concern for intellectual honesty, and, above all, the youth's uncertain future. Youth Unrest

The term "youth" refers to a group or category of people who are considered to be young. It is a concept that can be found in a variety of literary works. Though it is primarily associated with biology as a stage in human growth and development, it is also a topic of study in a variety of fields, including education, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and demography. The age group of 21-35 years is the most crucial, as it represents an individual's transition from childhood to adulthood, complete with all of the experiences that enable him or her to make any decision. It is the time when a person makes important life decisions and tries to establish himself or herself in various areas of life, such as family, profession, economic decisions, and social goals and objectives. As a result, this time period is significant in human life.

'Disturbed condition' is the definition of unrest. It's a feeling of disappointment and dissatisfaction. The concept of youth unrest can be defined as the expression of a society's youth's collective frustration. It manifests when the youth perceive society's existing norms to be ineffective or harmful, causing them to be dissatisfied. As a result, they try to alter the status quo. They sometimes start revolting against them in order to reset the social norm. As a result, the society is in a state of upheaval. Both the concept of youth unrest and the concept of social unrest are intertwined. The term "social unrest" refers to a group's, community's, or society's collective disillusionment, dissatisfaction, and frustration, with a focus on collective frustration and disillusionment over common issues. Youth unrest is defined as a collective revolt by a group of young people against the current state of disillusionment and dissatisfaction in society. When confronted with the problem of adjusting to society's unbalanced conditions, youth tend to become enraged. The emergence of various youth agitations are notable instances of youth unrest. The following are some of the key characteristics of youth unrest: Collective dissatisfaction, a dysfunctional state, public concern, and the need for change in existing norms

Types of Youth Unrest

Unrest among teenagers manifests itself in a variety of ways. The following are some of the most common types of youth unrest:

• ACTIVITIES AND MOVEMENTS IN POLITICS: Youth unrest has been linked to larger political movements in the past. In India, students frequently take up political issues and fight for them alongside other non-youth organisations and political parties. Students have taken part in a variety of political movements aimed at resolving issues such as border disputes, steel plant relocations, price increases, water disputes, and anti-English agitation, among others. They've disrupted parades, staged protests, used violence, and challenged and fought police and authorities.

• STUDENT ACTIVITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE: Students have also campaigned for educational causes. Students have protested, demanding teacher appointments, adequate supplies of laboratory equipment and library books, the cancellation of donations and capitation fees, reforms in the examination system and types of question papers, recognition of the student union, student participation in the university, representation in administrative bodies such as the governing body and academic councils, and the postponement of examinations, among other things.] • ENERGY IN NON-ACADEMIC AREAS: Students have also campaigned for causes that are not educational or political. For example, they have agitated for special bus and train concessions, as well as concessions in commercial recreational centres. • STUDENT ACTIVATION ON THE SPONTANEOUS LEVEL: Students can become agitated in an unexpected way at times. They may have disagreements with bus conductors, auto-rickshaw drivers, hotel owners, police, and government employees, and may even go on strike. This agitation can be interpreted as a youthful outburst. If the agitation isn't managed properly, it can become more intense and last longer, leading to more serious consequences.

YOUTH AGITATION

Agitation is a hostile act that is often the result of frustration and is intended to harm or object something. Aggression, according to Myres (1988), is "physical or verbal behaviour that hurts, harms, or destroys." Youth agitation is defined as youth behaviour that is directed toward a social cause rather than injuring people or destroying public property. It is not a natural reaction to frustrations or the result of an innate destructive drive. It's something you've picked up over time. Demonstrations, slogan shouting, strikes, hunger strikes, roadblocks, and examination boycotts are all examples of youth agitation. In his well-known book 'Social Problems in India,' Ram Ahuja (2014) mentions the following preconditions for youth agitation: • Mobilization of force for action by a leader, • Structural strain, • Identifying the source of strain, • Precipitating factor in initiative action,

Ram Ahuja also mentions some important goals that he hopes to achieve through youth agitation in this book. These are: • fostering collective consciousness and group solidarity; • mobilising youth to work on new programmes and plans; and • allowing young people to express their feelings and have an impact on the course of social change. Types of Youth Agitation

Agitations among teenagers are not always violent or coercive. They frequently employ persuasion techniques as well. The following categories can be used to categorise youth agitations: RESISTANCE AGITATION-The main goal of resistance-based agitation is to reach an agreement with those in positions of power. Consider a university's faulty marking system. Students may resist this through agitation, which may eventually force the University's Academic Council to change the evaluation pattern. Students' dissatisfaction and concern about the direction in which a university is working is expressed through resistance agitation. PERSUASIVE AGITATION- In persuasive agitations, young people try to persuade those in positions of power to change their minds by discussing their problems. REVOLUTIONARY AGITATIONS- Revolutionary agitation's main goal is to bring about drastic changes in the educational and social systems. The youth agitation in China in 1987, the AASU agitation in Assam in 1994, the Uttrakhand agitation in Uttar Pradesh in 1994, and the Bodo agitation in Assam between 1989 and 1996 are examples of revolutionary agitation.

Process of Growth of Agitation

There are different stages of youth unrest that lead to youth agitations. These are the stages: The Discontent Stage: The discontent stage is characterised by dissatisfaction and growing perplexity with current circumstances.

THE INITIATION STAGE: During the initiation stage, a leader emerges who alerts others to the sources of dissatisfaction. At this point, the excitement level rises, and action plans are discussed. THE FORMALISATION STAGE: At this stage, programmes are developed, alliances are formed, and support from stakeholders is sought. THE STAGE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT: At this point, the problems of the youth are recognised as a public issue. This not only raises public awareness, but also seeks public support for the issues at hand.

Some Important Youth Agitations in India Following independence, India saw a number of significant youth agitations that, while useful in their own right, had tragic consequences. The anti-reservation agitation in Gujarat in 1985, the All Assam Students Union agitation in Assam in 1984, the Anti-Mandal agitation in northern India in 1990, and the agitation for the creation of Uttarakhand in Uttar Pradesh in 1994, riots in Gujarat in 1981, terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir between 1985 and 1995, and the Jharkhand agitation in Bihar are just a few examples.

CAUSES OF YOUTH UNREST There are a variety of reasons for youth unrest. The following are just a few of them: The 1960 UGC committee identified several key reasons for student unrest. These are the following:• An economic reason, such as a regular demand to lower fees and increase student scholarships. • Demand for changes to the existing admissions, admissions process, and teaching policies. • College and university administration and operations are in disarray. • Inappropriate socialisation on campus, in hostels, and elsewhere. • Student-teacher relationships that are tumultuous.

• Politicians are instigating leaders. Dibona investigated student agitations at one university in Uttar Pradesh and discovered three causes: • Economic Causes: There was a sense of insecurity about the future, as well as a disconnect between the country's economic needs and the educational system, with education being viewed as non-job-oriented. • Socio psychological causes include a flawed educational system, a gap between aspiration and achievement, social distance between teachers and students, noncommitted teachers, status quo policies, corruption and inefficiency, a large number of students in a class, or an insufficient number of sections in a department or college. • Political Causes: This category includes political interference and political instigation. All of these factors suggest that the main source of student unrest and agitation, as well as youth agitation in general, is the social system, not the youth's personality. Aside from these, there are a number of other factors that contribute to youth unrest. A few of them are listed below. • Inadequate Socialization and Family Issues: Many youth have gone astray as a result of parents' failure to raise their children in accordance with society's cultural expectations. Parents' bad habits and undesirable qualities have a negative impact on their children's personality development. The mental peace and emotional balance of growing children are harmed by family problems. • Political, Economic, and Social Inequalities: Young people are more sensitive to political, economic, and social inequalities, as well as exploitation. They become disillusioned about the future as a result of existing inequalities. • Educational System That Isn't Working: To a large extent, student unrest and aggressive behaviour can be attributed to an outdated, uninspiring, uninteresting, and irrelevant educational system. • Unemployment: Unemployment is a major cause of unrest among young people. The unemployment rate among educated youths is rising, as their education does not

prepare them to become economically self-sufficient. As a result, the youth have become dissatisfied. • Corrupt Authority: The youth are dissatisfied with an authority that is corrupt and discredited. Among political and social leaders, corruption, a desire for power and moral lapses, opportunism, nepotism, discrimination, and other issues can be found. In the minds of the youth, this has engendered contempt. The administration has failed to set a good example for the students to follow. • Politicians' Misuse of Student Power: Corrupt and unscrupulous politicians are also contributing to the problem by using student power to further their partisan political interests. Students are being used as puppets by opportunistic politicians to further their own agendas. •

Administrative

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Miscalculations:

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miscalculations are frequently the source of youth unrest. Students are frequently forced to strike due to the administrations' lack of sympathy for their demands (both at the university and at the federal level). • Communication Gap: Youth unrest is caused by a lack of understanding and proper communication between students and teachers on the one hand, and parents and children on the other. The failure of parents to comprehend the aspirations of their young children exacerbates the problem. • Value Disparities and Value Conflicts: Because some of the old values are now in conflict, value differences in society, as well as changes and conflicts in values, contribute to youth unrest. For the modern youth, traditional beliefs, practises, ideas, ideals, and values appear to be outdated, unscientific, irrelevant, and irrational. The youth are becoming increasingly rational. Modern values based on science and rationalism have an impact on them. They are not, however, in a position to completely abandon traditional values. They're in a state of befuddlement. They can't accept the new completely, and they can't let go of the old. They've become agitated as a result of this. Individualism and democracy are values that influence the youth. As a result, they are rebelling against the old established order. They dislike it when their elders refer to them as "immature" and "irresponsible." They are irritated and embarrassed to be in such a helpless situation.

• Inadequate Opportunities: Young people do not have adequate opportunities to express their talents, cultivate their interests, or develop their personalities. Their dissatisfaction has been exacerbated by this. • Disparity Between Aspirations And Reality: Young people are likely to have their own goals and ambitions. They'll be daydreaming about it the entire time. However, life's realities cause them to become estranged. Unfulfilled desires and aspirations make it difficult for young people to relax. • Lack of Determination and Self-Responsibility: Some youth lack self-determination and willpower. They are more reliant on others than on their own inherent abilities and talents. They follow in the footsteps of others and fail to cultivate a sense of selfreliance. They are apprehensive about taking on new responsibilities. Such young people are extremely vulnerable to any kind of abuse. • Film Influence: Modern films, which primarily depict violence, arson, looting, rape, murder, immorality, and crimes, have a demoralising effect on today's youth. Insufficient respect for their cultural values, as well as imitation of Western tendencies, have added to the problems. The adult world must accept that the youth's problems cannot be solved for them, but rather with them. As a result, parents, teachers, educational administrators, and political parties must seek the cooperation of students and youth in order to understand their problems or grievances and provide them with logical and proper guidance. that the youth's power can be harnessed to achieve common goals

LET’S SUM UP

• The term "unrest" refers to a "disturbed situation." It's a feeling of disappointment and dissatisfaction. • Youth unrest can be defined as the expression of a society's youth's collective frustration. • There is a link between youth unrest and social unrest.

• Social unrest is defined as a group's, community's, or society's collective disillusionment, dissatisfaction, and frustration, with a focus on collective frustration and disillusionment over common issues. • Collective discontent, dysfunctional conditions, public concern, and the need to change existing norms are all important characteristics of youth unrest. • Youth agitation is a behaviour of young people whose goal is neither to injure a person nor to destroy public property, and is often a result of frustration....