In the bustling coffee shops of New Delhi, a generation of young Indians sits at a crossroads of political engagement, wrestling with complex emotions about their country's democratic future.

With approximately 377 million Indians belonging to Generation Z, this demographic represents more than a quarter of the nation's population—a potential powerhouse of social and political transformation, yet paradoxically quiet in its activism.

During an intimate roundtable discussion, five young professionals aged 23-24 revealed a nuanced landscape of political disengagement, digital caution, and underlying frustration. The group—comprising Saurabh, an educator; Advik, a finance professional; Yashaswini, a political science student; Yasir, a law student; and Harshita, a social media marketer—represented a microcosm of India's youth.

Their perspectives ranged widely: Yasir identified as left-leaning, Yashaswini as right-liberal, Saurabh as centrist, while Harshita considered herself apolitical. Advik's stance was most dramatic—he wants to leave the country as an 'act of political disengagement', declaring, 'India is turning into a surveillance state.'

Social media emerged as their primary political information source, but with remarkable caution. When a local protest about stray dogs in New Delhi was organized, Harshita noted how online enthusiasm quickly evaporated, with only four or five participants showing up despite numerous digital sign-ups. 'They rally online,' she observed, 'but when it comes to finishing something they have started, the enthusiasm fizzles out.'

A shared mistrust of mainstream media united the group, with participants carefully curating their information sources. Yashaswini supplemented social media with government press releases and newspapers, while others like Advik followed carefully selected YouTube channels that avoided sensationalism.

Perhaps most revealing was their collective reluctance to publicly discuss politics. All participants admitted to willfully refraining from posting political content online, reflecting a generation navigating complex social and digital landscapes with strategic silence.

As India approaches critical democratic moments, this generation's approach suggests not apathy, but a sophisticated, measured engagement—watching, processing, and strategically choosing when and how to participate in national conversations.