Gen Z Takes Center Stage: When Politics Meets Performance

In India’s vibrant cultural landscape, a recent social media spat has highlighted the complexities of identity, politics, and performance. At its core is Urwashi Palandurkar, a 19-year-old dancer and content creator from Mumbai who has found herself at the center of a heated debate after being featured in a now-viral post by the BJP’s Chhattisgarh unit.

Palandurkar’s initial protest dance video, created during the NEET protests, had gained over 24 million views on Instagram. The BJP post juxtaposed her with Yogita Mandavi, a national judoka who was conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu. However, Palandurkar’s use in this context raises concerns about consent and representation.

The BJP’s decision to share Palandurkar’s footage without her permission highlights the responsibility that comes with sharing someone else’s work. It also blurs the lines between artistic expression and politics, as social media platforms have democratized content creation. This has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic and curated content.

Palandurkar’s sarcastic rebuttal speaks to the anxiety of being co-opted by those who do not understand her art. She clarified that she was not okay with being associated with an audience that did not appreciate her work. Responses from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav underscored the politics of performance, where identities are often reduced to simplistic categories.

The use of Palandurkar’s video also speaks to a larger issue: the erasure of nuance in identity politics. By reducing her to a binary choice between “Babar ki virasat” and a national judoka, the post ignored the complexities of being Gen Z in India today. This generation is characterized by its multiplicity – it is both digital natives and analog activists, comfortable with multiple identities and expressions.

The BJP Chhattisgarh unit has remained silent on Palandurkar’s allegations, raising questions about accountability in social media politics. As the lines between politics and performance continue to blur, individuals must be mindful of their audience and context.

Urwashi Palandurkar’s art now hangs precariously in the balance. Will she continue to perform for an audience that appreciates her creativity, or will she find herself at odds with those who seek to co-opt it? The politics of performance have never been more relevant in India today.

This controversy serves as a reminder that identity is not a fixed category but rather a constantly evolving expression. As we navigate the complexities of being Gen Z in India, recognizing the nuances of artistic expression and the responsibility that comes with representing others is essential. In doing so, we may create a space for true coexistence between academics and art – one that celebrates the multiplicity of identities and expressions.