Don’t alien older persons in democracy
Democracy is not only about periodic process in democratic elections and political rights but also to empower the underpowered older persons to participate in nations affairs, express their opinion and thus be counted in political process.
On the eve of 15 th parliamentary elections in democratic India advertisements are appearing with titles like “Why is the youngest parliament?” and “the great Indian Neta. Allowed to tire best but not retire.”
The advertisers of such advertisements with disproportionate bias in favour of young voters particularly 4.3 crore first time voters are perhaps trying the easiest way to become somebody by saying something very provocative, very loudly and very often. Such advertisements dampen democracy.
These advertisements are glaring examples of age-discrimination and the practical manifestation of ageism creating a tendency in modern society to see people above 60 as “old” with little or no contribution to society ignoring the ...