You can’t criticize something without understanding it because then your arguments tend to be baseless. Most young people aren’t politically conscious, especially those who go to private educational institutions where political affiliation is strictly discouraged.[break]
And then there are those who claim that they are conscious and aware about the political scenario and that they understand what exactly is missing or causing the problems. It’s obvious for citizens to put the blame on the government because such is its role and responsibility that comes attached to the authoritative status.
We asked youngsters on our Facebook page about how well aware are they of their rights, and if they have read the Interim Constitution that the country is currently functioning with.
“I know some of my fundamental rights,” said Rakesh Roshan who studies at Ambition Academy Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu, adding, “We all had to study about rights and duties in the eighth grade. As far as I know, duties have been fulfilled but most of the rights have been violated time and again.”
He went on to say that the new constitution is a farfetched dream, a promise that isn’t taking proper shape for at least a couple of more years.
Suraj Dahal said, “Every citizen must have a proper knowledge of his rights and duties but very few of us care these days. In this politically unstable country, it’s a Herculean task for any citizen to claim his/her rights.”
Rubina Chitrakar, a student of Bachelor in Social Work (BSW), and Pranit N Tiwari who is currently studying at Nitte Mahalinga Adhyanthaya Memorial Institute of Technology in Karnataka, India, said they are aware of most of their basic rights although they have never read the Constitution. “My rights include education, property, freedom of speech, religion, privacy and personal decision making privileges,” Pranit added.
Movi Manandhar, too, said that she hasn’t read the Interim Constitution but remembers certain sections of it from her Social Studies class in school. “Honestly, I’m really interested about what constitutes the new constitution because there’s been much hype about it. I would really like to know how different this is going to be from the previous one,” she added.
While we wait for the new Constitution to be drafted, which would be a few more years, reading the Interim Constitution and learning about your rights would be a good idea!
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