Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan on Thursday (September 24, 2026) launched a Gen Z outreach campaign called ‘Youth Bole To’ from Veterinary Ground in Patna, where most of the crowd belonged to the Scheduled Castes (SC), particularly from the Paswan community.
Unlike the traditional stage, where podiums along with public address systems are usually placed on both sides for the speakers to speak, it was a different arrangements all together. It was a huge stage with a ramp walk for the main speaker, and none of the party’s MLAs or MPs were visible on the stage, though they were present there.
Disco colourful lights were used, and loud music of Bollywood numbers from the latest movie Dhurandhar was being played. The youth found themselves dancing to songs like Hum Pyare Karne Wale and Raja ji from the Panchayat web series. An anchor was also there to engage the crowd for nearly one and a half hours with a few tasks like clapping and showing the flashlight of the mobile in the name of Chirag Paswan.
Though the incessant rain caused difficulties in reaching people but overall number of people was decent. During the interaction with the youth, it was found that most of them were brought by bus from the neighbouring districts of Patna, such as Gaya ji, Jehanabad, Arwal, Lakhisarai, Vaishali, Nalanda and others.
Asked about the reason for taking part in the campaign, Santosh Kumar Paswan (30), a youth from Barachatti (Gaya ji), said that he had come to listen to Chirag Paswan. He even praised him, saying that he was an energetic and young leader. He, however, had no idea what the programme was all about and assumed it was a political rally.
Sataveer Kumar (18), a college-going student, has come along with his father, Gorelal Paswan, who is the party leader in Lakhisarai.
“I want to listen to the thoughts of Chirag Paswan on the education system in Bihar and what plans he has to tackle the issue of paper leak and corruption in the competitive exams. I hope he will talk about it,” Mr. Kumar said.
From Arwal, Niku Kumar Paswan (17), studying in the 11th standard in a government school, said that Chirag Paswan’s approach is good for interacting with the students but complained that only selected youth got the opportunity to ask questions.
The crowd at the front of the stage was filled with youth aged between 16 and 30, whereas people at the back were older, including citizens above 60 years old. Women were also present, but their numbers were fewer in comparison to men. A small number of Muslim crowd was also present from Jehanabad.
One such person, Mohammad Ali Iman (28), who is currently preparing for the state civil service, said that illiteracy among Muslims is the main reason for unemployment. Asked about attending Chirag’s Programme, Mr. Iman said he was asked by district president Prince Sharma to attend it.
At least four drones were used by the organiser to capture the movement when the Union Minister made his entry on the stage at 5:30 p.m., clad in a full black T-shirt folded to the elbow and blue jeans. As soon as he entered the stage, he received huge applause from the crowd, and the song “Jio Ho Bihar Ke Lala “ from the movie Gangs of Wasseypur was being played.
Party insiders have described it as an attempt to counter Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign.
While addressing the youth, Mr. Paswan asserted that this platform is meant for questioning the government and our education system; it is a platform for your future.
“I am not here today in the capacity of a Union Minister, but as an elder brother. I have come to listen to your suggestions and concerns. Together, we will find solutions to the issues concerning your future. There may be some questions for which I do not have the answers, but together we will find the solutions. You will share your problems, and I will work to resolve them,” Mr. Paswan said.
He also took up many questions from the youth concerning their future and problems with paper leaks. Citing his own example, Mr. Paswan pointed out that before entering politics, he worked in films but did not succeed in the film industry.
“The reason was that I was not fit for that profession. Today, I am in politics and working hard day and night, and I have a sense of satisfaction. So young people should pursue the fields that interest them; only then can they achieve success,” he added.
Published – September 25, 2026 04:00 am IST
