City joins global pitch,raises hands in protest

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Pictures of a sea of protesters flooding the streets of Cairo and Bahrain shocked the world. And what began as a mass movement in other parts of the world has started sprouting in bits and pieces in India too, Delhi being the prime witness of many such protests.
While marches and protests are not new to the capital, what’s interesting is the fact that they’re escalating both in number and causes. But even as youngsters dare to hold placards against injustice, how instrumental are these protests in bringing about a change in a society like ours?
“Even a small protest can lead to a big change in any society. Egypt is a great example. Their protest will inspire many for years to come. But in India people are passive and take democracy for granted. For instance, there are no major protests against mega scams, inflation and other major issues. We need a mass movement,” says Meru, an IAS aspirant without mincing words.
If not a direct change, then protests are a definite influence in bringing about large-scale awareness, “which is first step towards a big change”, says Mayank Srivastava, an IT professional. “I was a part of the protest against corruption which took place recently. Protests are a way to send a word to the masses and tell them that they should not suffer silently. Many of us, who were a part of the march against corruption, discussed personal experiences where corruption has let us down. Now such thoughts to do away with something that is not right become strong agents of change. Protests bring together people from different class and creed moving in one direction, together,” he adds.
What’s intriguing about the protests these days is the fact that they’re attracting youth attention. More so, it’s the youth, which is taking steps to organise them. “In the last few years, our country has seen some large-scale protests. The bigger question is if we’re willing to continue with the protests till something concrete comes our way. I don’t know if corruption would end here, or if Arushi and hemraj will be justice. These protests and marches have to be made more powerful,” says Ratna Kaur, a dance student.
If not instrumental in bringing about a big change, for youth, protests help them vent their angst. “Protests help you voice your frustration. It’s a podium where thousands of people come together and resonate the same vibe. I don’t think they are strong enough in India to bring about a major change, but at least we can speak what we feel in these protest marches,” says Kanishka Sharma, a student.