Mumbai:
According to a survey conducted by the Children's Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), a Bangalore based NGO, 55 per cent of high school and college students believe that women provoke men by the way they dress and 65 per cent respondents 'agree' that boys and girls from different religions should not mingle
41 per cent of the youth also believe that women have no choice but to accept violence, says the survey.
"Our society is going to be further fragmented, social tension is going to increase and not decrease if these youngsters are not equipped with necessary skills, attitudes and values to live in a multi-culture democracy. Our social fabric will be torn. Democracy will stand threatened", said Manjunath Sadashiva, Director, Children's Movement for Civic Awareness.
On the question of democracy, 50 per cent of the respondents preferred military rule to democracy. The same number insisted, that migrants should go back 'home'.
"This shows that the youth does not have a critical appreciation of the liberties and freedom one enjoys in a democracy. It shows the cynicism and disillusionment with the political scenario but doesn't justify the preference for an authoritarian Govt or military rule", Mr. Manjunath added.
Tejashri, a student at the Welingkar institute said that the Indian youth must eliminate such thoughts from their roots.
"I am disappointed. We will be the future generation, driving the country in different fields. We have to go to our roots and eliminate these things", she said.
While Tejashri differed in her opinion, many others reiterated the survey findings.
"The state the country is in, we need an authoritative leader. Need someone who tells us what to do", said another student Soumitra.
The organisation, which focusses on the Indian youth's attitude towards democratic values, has called the results dismal and disappointing.
However, on the subject of environment conservation, over 70% were in favour of rain water harvesting and reducing wastage of water.
10,000 students from high schools and colleges across 11 cities were part of the urban survey.