Actor and political activist Prakash Raj on Thursday said the country’s “fascist rule” was nearing its end, claiming that protests led by young people over the NEET question paper leak had challenged the government in a way not seen in years.
Raj was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating the state conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).
‘Youth Have Punctured His Ego’: Prakash Raj
Referring to the recent protests over the NEET question paper leak, Raj said young people had shown that they were no longer afraid of the government.
Using an analogy from the animal world, he said the youth had identified the “predator”.
“The youth of this country have told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ‘Now we know you, your leakage of papers.’ For the first time, they have punctured his ego,” Raj said.
He claimed that youngsters were telling the government that they understood its politics and would not be intimidated.
“For the first time, the citizens, the youngsters have said, ‘We are not afraid of you.’ We needed somebody to say it,” he said.
‘These Youngsters Have Nothing to Lose’
Raj compared the recent youth protests with earlier demonstrations by farmers, workers and government employees.
He said many such groups had struggled to take their protests further because they had jobs, land and other responsibilities that they could lose.
“But these youngsters have nothing to lose,” Raj said.
He also referred to the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, claiming that around one lakh people had gathered at the venue while several lakh others were on the streets.
“For the first time they had come to Delhi. For the first time they wanted to protest, they wanted to go to Parliament. And the Parliament shook,” he said.
Raj praised the protesters for remaining peaceful and said they were more interested in asking questions than using violence.
“So today, when I stand in front of you, for the first time after a decade, I’m more confident that the end of the fascist rule is closing,” he said.
‘Defeating BJP Alone Is Not Enough’
Raj also cautioned young people against believing that simply defeating the BJP or the current government would solve the country’s problems.
“No opposition party in this country will bring down the BJP. Because in politics, opposition parties don’t win; ruling parties lose,” he said.
He urged young people to remain politically aware while choosing an alternative government, warning that another “fascist” force could emerge in a different form.
“Just bringing down these fascists is not enough; the awareness has to come,” Raj said.
He also credited social media with changing the nature of political protests. According to him, platforms once dominated by the ruling side are increasingly being used by young people to organise and express dissent.
“Now, protest sites have changed. It is not Jantar Mantars, it is anywhere we are,” he said.
‘Fighting for Justice Is a Way of Life’
Raj said his aim was not simply to win an immediate political battle but to contribute to a broader struggle for justice and social change.
“I am not here to win. So when you want to win, you get tired. But for me, fighting for justice, fighting to create a better society is a way of life,” he said.
He called on young people and older generations to build political awareness and work towards correcting what he described as damage caused over the years.
“I hope this is just not a fight; it’s a longer journey,” Raj said.
