New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The BJP’s decision to constitute a committee as part of its Gen Z outreach initiative has drawn criticism from Opposition parties, with leaders accusing the ruling party of making a “desperate attempt to appease” young voters.
The BJP, however, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening direct engagement with young people and students and understanding their views through personal interactions.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan told IANS that the BJP had realised that young people were increasingly opposed to it.
“The Cockroach Janta Party agitation and various other youth agitations have made them understand that youth are against them… The youth raise certain important issues and all those things will go against this government. They (BJP) have understood that they cannot win next time. That is why they want to somehow appease the youth. So, they are doing all these things,” he said.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha questioned the effectiveness of forming another committee.
“Many committees have been formed… There is a saying in public administration; forming a committee itself indicates that you are trying to postpone the issue,” he said.
Jha said the government needed to respond directly to the concerns being raised by young people, particularly on education and employment.
“They want a better education system. They need a concrete blueprint and assurance for employment and both of these are outside the (BJP) committee’s authority,” he added.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy was more direct, saying, “Gen Z has no faith in the BJP.”
The BJP defended the initiative, saying it was part of its continuing efforts to engage with young people.
BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh said the party was already in regular contact with Gen Z through its Yuva Morcha and was now seeking to deepen that engagement.
“We are constantly working with Gen Z. Our Yuva Morcha also maintains regular communication with them. Now, the party is focusing more on Gen Z so that we are able to connect with them and understand their viewpoint,” he said.
Singh added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked party leaders to visit universities, interact with students, obtain their feedback and convey their views to the government.
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said the initiative was a continuation rather than a new strategy. He pointed to Modi’s repeated interactions with young people, including through the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ programme.
“We must remember that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first in the country to state that India is a nation of youth, and since then, he has consistently engaged in dialogues with young people,” Khandelwal said.
“The Prime Minister interacts with students during exam periods. The BJP organization already has a ‘Yuva Morcha’ (Youth Wing),” he added.
“This is not a new initiative; it is simply the next step in that ongoing process where conversations will be held with the youth to know their opinions from close quarters,” Khandelwal said.
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