Revanth Reddy Proposes Lowering India's Election Age to 21

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the Telangana government will convene special sessions of the Assembly and Legislative Council in the first week of August. The sessions aim to pass resolutions urging the Union Government to lower the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 to 21 years. Reddy also proposed reducing the age limit for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council members from 30 to 25 years.

Speaking at rallies in Hyderabad following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Reddy argued that Gen Z represents 30 percent of the population but holds less than one percent of Lok Sabha seats. He noted that since 21-year-olds are eligible to serve as mayors and civil servants, they should also be eligible as legislators. He intends to forward these resolutions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and coordinate with Rahul Gandhi and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc to secure constitutional amendments.

This push for youth representation follows nationwide protests over NEET-UG examination paper leaks. Reddy demanded the withdrawal of legal cases against student protesters and financial compensation for families of students who committed suicide. The Union Government has agreed to examine a five-point charter regarding these demands and is preparing a stringent anti-paper leak law featuring Special Fast-Track Courts.