Parents Rally at Jantar Mantar, Advocating for Children's Future

Parents Take Centre Stage at Jantar Mantar Protests, Redefining Support for Future Generations

In a striking display of solidarity and hope, parents from across the country gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, holding their children in one hand and protest placards in the other. Among them were Shivani and Deb, a Gurgaon-based couple who brought their toddler, Rudranil, to the protest. “We heard the news and decided to show up. Not just for us, but for our little one,” Shivani said, pointing to her child. For the couple, both professionals in multinational corporations, the decision to join the protest was rooted in their desire to create a better future for the next generation.

A Stand for Change and Freedom

Deb described their participation as a small contribution to a larger movement, reflecting on the challenges they faced growing up in a system they found increasingly unfair. Shivani added that their generation, often stifled by overbearing parenting styles, now seeks to empower their children with the freedom to make their own choices. “We don’t want to do to them what was done to us,” she explained.

Dr. Rimpa Sarkar, a clinical psychologist and founder of Sentier Wellness, emphasized the importance of such parental support in fostering emotional resilience in children. “When children know their parents stand by them, especially when they are expressing themselves or standing up for something they believe in, it reinforces a deep sense of psychological safety,” she told The Indian Express. This, she added, is crucial for building confidence and the courage to face life’s challenges.

Creating Core Memories

For some parents, the protest was also a way to instill lasting values in their children. S.K. Chaudhary, a Delhi resident, brought his young daughter to the demonstration despite her not fully understanding its significance. “One day, when she asks about this protest, I’ll tell her I was on the right side of history, doing everything I could to better her future,” he shared.

Others, like Anuradha from Patel Nagar, had to make difficult choices. A mother of two boys, she left her children at home for safety reasons after seeing footage of police lathi charges and tear gas shelling. “They really wanted to come, but I decided it wasn’t safe,” she said. Her presence, however, was a quiet testament to supportive parenting, which, as Dr. Sarkar notes, doesn’t always mean agreeing with every decision a child makes but standing by them as they navigate life’s challenges.

A Lesson in Citizenship

The protests also drew participants from beyond Delhi. Dhvani Kabir and her husband traveled from Rajasthan, driven by frustration over the state of the education system and empathy for families affected by recent tragedies. “We don’t want any parent to be in such a situation ever again,” Kabir said. Her parting words—“It is incredibly important to fight for your rights… If you don’t get something easily in life, you have to put in effort and work hard for it”—resonated with many who attended.

As the crowds dispersed, the true significance of the day became clear. Jantar Mantar had transformed into a classroom, where parents taught their children—and the world—a lesson in courage, solidarity, and hope. For once, they were not just preparing their children for the world; they were preparing the world for their children.

Source: Indian Express