Calling unemployed youngsters “cockroaches” who turn into media persons, activists, and “attack the system” is deeply insensitive, elitist, and unbecoming of the Chief Justice of India. It dehumanizes struggling youth and blames victims instead of addressing real problems.
India’s youth are unemployed not because they want to “attack the system,” but due to: Poor quality education and massive skills mismatch; Slow creation of formal, quality jobs despite economic growth; High competition from a huge youth population.
The Modi government, in power for over 12 years, bears significant responsibility for the failure to generate sufficient employment opportunities for India’s massive youth bulge. Educated unemployment remains painfully high.
Mocking frustrated youngsters from the highest judicial bench adds insult to injury instead of offering solutions or empathy. After intense media backlash, the CJI has said that he has been misquoted but no one will buy his argument. Persons occupying such high offices should always be circumspect in their public utterances.
