Chennai
Social activist Traffic Ramaswamy conceded that activism has changed now. “People are increasingly approaching the court, filing public interest litigations (PILs) regarding social issues. This has been one change that I helped bring about. Even today, many youngsters come to me – they are listening and we are helping them achieve. Look at the impact that jallikattu protests had in the state! There is a self-confidence among youngsters. The future activists should first, learn to be fearless and then, have immense self-confidence,” he said.
In jallikattu protests, social media played a huge role, bringing thousands of people to Marina beach. With the increasing influence of social media, how will the future of activism be? Gautham Govindaraman, Founder of Chennai Memes, who was also a part of the team that flew to New Delhi to speak to the concerned union ministers, said, “Social media has made the work easy, as a lot of people are using it over the last five years. When used in a proper way, it can be constructive. For example, a few months ago, social media helped during the Neduvasal protest, where people were deciding another protest on Marina. It is helping people come together.”
Anti-nuclear activist S P Udayakumar said that while the historic jallikattu protest on Marina Beach had brought about the desired results, youngsters should show adequate numbers, when it comes to other pressing issues. “They should not stop with the success of jallikattu but should protest against other serious issues such as hydrocarbon extraction at Delta districts, for Cauvery river, against NEET and against Nuclear reactors. At present youngsters are caught in the vicious mesh of cinema and are after cine stars. They must realise that future is not with actors but in protests to win their rights back,” added the convenor of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE).
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