The Madhya Pradesh government's decision to rebrand unemployed youth as ‘Aakankshi Yuva’ (aspirational youth) has sparked controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition Congress. The term, recently introduced on the state’s Rojgar Portal, categorizes over 29.37 lakh job seekers under this new label. Critics argue that this move trivializes the struggles of unemployed individuals instead of addressing the core issue of joblessness.
Defending the rebranding, Minister of State for Technical Education and Skill Development Gautam Tentwal stated that every youth, whether employed or unemployed, aspires for growth and better opportunities. “Those in government or private jobs aim for promotions, while those without jobs aspire to secure employment. The term ‘Aakankshi Yuva’ reflects that ambition,” he explained.
BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi further justified the move, asserting that the government's focus is on fostering self-employment and skill development. “The Madhya Pradesh government, through initiatives like the Global Investors Summit, is creating vast opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The term ‘aspirational youth’ instills a sense of purpose and ambition,” he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently emphasized that government jobs alone cannot solve unemployment. A state government statement reinforced this stance, highlighting that in a nation of 1.45 billion people, government jobs constitute less than one percent of total employment. Even the Indian Armed Forces, the largest government employer, has only 1.35 million personnel. “The government is striving to connect youth with opportunities in self-reliance and entrepreneurship,” the release stated.
The government claims that investment proposals worth over Rs 30 lakh crore from the Global Investors Summit and Regional Industry Conclaves will generate 21 lakh employment opportunities. Officials also stress that sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, and skill-based industries will play a crucial role in employment generation.
However, the Congress has slammed the government’s move as an attempt to mask the unemployment crisis. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar took to social media to express his disapproval, calling the rebranding a mockery of jobless youth. “Qualified and educated individuals without work are unemployed—plain and simple! Instead of fulfilling its promises, the government is trivializing their plight with new terminology,” he wrote in a post on X.
Singhar also pointed to the long-pending recruitment of sub-inspectors, accountants, and sub-auditors, accusing the government of failing to address the backlog of government job vacancies. “By renaming unemployment, the state is trying to cover up its inefficiencies rather than taking concrete steps to reduce joblessness,” he added.
The Congress leader also criticized the state government’s trend of renaming institutions and places to shift focus away from governance failures. He cited the example of the Vyapam scam, in which the government rebranded the scandal-tainted institution as the MP Employees Selection Board without making substantial reforms to improve employment prospects.
The controversy underscores the ongoing political debate over unemployment in Madhya Pradesh, with the opposition demanding accountability and action instead of mere rhetorical changes.
