BJP might have had a landslide victory but what makes this party stand out is that more youth are
participating in the party to make it a hit. We got a chance to talk to Rahul Kaswan, member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who won the Indian general elections, 2014 from Churu, Rajasthan.
He is the youngest MP from Rajasthan. The 37 year old MP won with a record margin of 2,94,739 votes nearly 3 lakhs, the highest ever in the Churu constituency, thereby getting the rank of 6th highest margin winner, out of 25 seats in Rajasthan. We talked development and importantly about women in India:
1. You are one of the youngest elected MP, how does it feel?
It feels great! I also feel a sense of responsibilities in terms of doing something meaningful for the constituency and the state.
2. Tell us more about your constituency and how do you plan to develop Churu?
Rajasthan’s economy is basically based on three aspects i.e. mines and minerals, tourism and agriculture. Churu is a draught prone, resource less deserted district of Rajasthan.
For development of Churu one thing which is most important is the linking of the rivers project. With this project the districts will get plenty of water for irrigation and drinking purposes. The others are health and education, on conventional need based vocational training programs for youth and effective participation of women in development process.
3. How do you plan on empowering women of Churu?
On educational front maximum enrollment – minimum dropout for girl child, to make them self reliant and self dependent it is necessary provide them work to earn their livelihood. Role of women in panchayati raj institutions should be maximized.
4. Rajasthan also has its own set of social evils against women, what steps would you take fro gender equality?
There are so many social evils against women in society, to eradicate such social evils we should address the each stakeholder effectively to make the consensus over the issue like female foeticide, child marriage, dowry, lack of opportunity, types of social stigma etc.
5. The back buck is a well known controversy post Salman Khan’s case. What is your take on this case?
As the matter is under subjudice and court of law will decide the fate but I can say that one should respect the constitution of India, if something is against the constitution it is not good and no one can favor such incidents.
6. Should younger generation become more active in politics? Has your age helped you or given you an edge over others?
Why not, this is the only way to strengthen the democracy of India. Each and every youth should be aware of the issue that could affect the aspects of our life in any manner. Here the term “active in politics” not meant to be a representative of any political entity but the awareness and maturity level to choose the one of the best representative through their power of voting.
7. Would you guide and want the nation’s youth to take active interest in politics? Why?
Yes, I feel that youth of India should be directly interacting with a member of lower house, if you want to learn the grassroots level realities, problems as well as solutions. Youth can play a vital role as the youth of the day is well equipped with technology and knowledge.
8. Do you think women are still at the backseat when it comes to Indian parliamentary affairs, why?
If you see the scenario from the day of independence the role of women is gradually taking shape in the Indian politics but their representation likely to be enhanced in favor of the nation. The term “backseat” is not proper and meaningful as the scenario is being change day by day women are getting empowered in all stream of the system but there is some legal barriers are there and supposed to be address in the future.
9. How should the 21st century woman become more emancipated in politics? Do you think quota is the right way to go about it?
We can interpret it as Empowerment in spite of emancipation in wider aspect. Empowerment belongs to behavior and attitude change and it is a slow process and it takes time. A countable change is seen with the inception of next generation. In the present era the percentage of literacy rate among girl child is being enhanced with the time and it leads to self reliance of the women. I personally think that quota can provide facility in terms of number by the legal way but it is not enough without making them capable and competent.
10. Will you as an active member of the system try and forefront women?
Yes of course, I will try to forefront women as it the part of my belief.
