Calls for Youth Protests in India Echo Neighboring Nations' Movements

Ravidas Mehrotra Urges Youth to Take Action

On Saturday, Ravidas Mehrotra, a leader from the Samajwadi Party, echoed the sentiments of Ajay Singh Chautala, a founding member of the Jannayak Janta Party. He pointed out that the current conditions in India mirror those that have sparked public uprisings in several neighboring countries. Speaking to a news outlet, Mehrotra highlighted the rising anger among citizens due to unemployment, inflation, and poverty, while those in power remain indifferent to the struggles of the populace. He called on the youth to take to the streets, similar to the protests seen in Nepal.

Mehrotra emphasized that citizens in neighboring nations like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have successfully ousted their governments through protests. He argued that India is facing a similar crisis, with people suffering from hunger and economic hardships, yet the ruling authorities are ignoring these pressing issues. Therefore, he urged the youth to mobilize and initiate a movement to remove those in power.

In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized these statements. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala remarked that some individuals, in their attempts to oppose the BJP, have become anti-national and anti-constitutional. He accused Ajay Chautala of promoting violent scenarios akin to those in Bangladesh, and noted that the Samajwadi Party has adopted a similar stance, labeling them as opponents of democracy. Previously, former MP Ajay Chautala faced backlash for urging young people to protest against the ruling government.

Chautala pointed out that the youth in Sri Lanka successfully overthrew their government, while those in Bangladesh forced their leaders to flee. He noted that the youth in Nepal not only removed their leaders from power but also pursued and confronted them on the streets. He stressed the need for similar youth activism in India. Meanwhile, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, fresh protests erupted on Friday, led by the Inquilab platform, which is demanding justice for Osman Hadi, a key leader who died on December 18 during the July 2024 uprising.

Social Media Reaction

#WATCH | Lucknow, UP | On the statement of Jannayak Janta Party Founder Member Ajay Singh Chautala, Samajwadi Party leader Ravidas Mehrotra says, "In India's neighbouring countries, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, people have overthrown their governments through protests. A… pic.twitter.com/mjw4l5DhX6

— News Media (@NewsMedia) January 3, 2026