NEW DELHI : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin on Saturday launched a sharp attack on what he described as attempts to steer Indian youth towards “negative politics”, asserting that the country’s young generation is focused on innovation, development and nation-building rather than anti-establishment campaigns.
Speaking during an interaction with intellectuals in Ranchi, Nabin said some individuals operating from abroad believed they could influence India’s youth, but maintained that young Indians would not become “puppets” in anyone’s hands.
“Some people sitting abroad assume they can give directions to the youths of India,” Nabin said in an apparent reference to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke. “Those who want to push the youths of this country towards negative politics, I warn them that the youths of India will choose positive politics.”
The BJP leader said India’s youth are driven by aspirations of growth, innovation and securing their future, and are playing a key role in the country’s transformation. While acknowledging that criticism and opposition are integral to democracy, he stressed that such engagement must remain within democratic norms.
“People have the right to oppose, but within democratic norms,” he said, adding that Indian youth are recognised globally for their spirit of innovation and creation.
Highlighting the country’s startup ecosystem, Nabin said nearly two lakh startups had emerged because of the hard work and dedication of young entrepreneurs. He also expressed confidence that India would soon become a major global hub for information technology, artificial intelligence and manufacturing.
Drawing a contrast with political movements seen elsewhere, Nabin said anti-establishment campaigns witnessed in some neighbouring countries were not a model for Indian youth. “The youths of India will work in a disciplined manner to build the nation,” he said.
The BJP president used the occasion to showcase what he described as the achievements of the Narendra Modi government over the past 12 years. He said more than 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty, while around 80 crore beneficiaries continued to receive free foodgrain support.
Listing welfare initiatives, Nabin said over 54 crore Jan Dhan accounts had been opened, more than three lakh women had become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, and around 10 crore families had been connected to self-help groups. He also highlighted the construction of 12 crore toilets, the provision of four crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the distribution of 10 crore LPG connections through the Ujjwala scheme.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, Nabin said the BJP remained committed to accelerating India’s development journey and empowering women through measures such as 33 per cent reservation in legislatures.
The BJP leader also said the Centre was committed to the development of Jharkhand and strengthening the state’s growth prospects.
Nabin is on a two-day visit to Jharkhand and was accorded a grand welcome upon his arrival in Ranchi by senior BJP leaders, including state BJP president Aditya Sahu, Union minister Sanjay Seth and former chief ministers Babulal Marandi, Arjun Munda, Raghubar Das and Champai Soren.
During his visit, he paid floral tributes to tribal icon Birsa Munda at Birsa Chowk and held meetings with BJP MPs, MLAs and core committee members to review organisational matters and prepare for upcoming political challenges.
His visit assumes significance as Jharkhand gears up for elections to two Rajya Sabha seats. Nominations close on June 8, while polling is scheduled for June 18. One seat fell vacant following the death of JMM co-founder Shibu Soren, while the term of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash is set to end on June 21.
According to party leaders, Nabin is also scheduled to hold organisational meetings with district presidents, in-charges and office-bearers in Ranchi and Bokaro as the BJP intensifies preparations for the upcoming electoral contest in the state.
