How MPs 'clocked' Gen Z lingo in Parliament: 'MIA', 'kuchu puchu' and other words decoded
Indian Members of Parliament have begun incorporating Gen Z slang and internet terminology into their formal legislative debates. The trend highlights a shift in political communication as younger generations' vocabulary enters the halls of government.
Why it matters
This reflects the evolving nature of political discourse and the attempt by politicians to bridge the generational gap to remain relevant to younger voters.
NEW DELHI: “The Leader of the Opposition had gone 'MIA'. 'FOMO' perhaps explains why he eventually went and sat outside the Prime Minister's residence.” These are the words of 69-year old Union minister Jitendra SIngh, who was addressing the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.Until recently, these words belonged to Instagram comment sections, meme pages, K-pop fan communities and WhatsApp chats. This week, however, they echoed through the halls of Parliament.During the Monsoon session, MPs infused their speeches with Gen Z slang and internet catchphrases while taking on political rivals, discussing governance and framing arguments around issues ranging from education to development.BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while defending the Centre's policies, urged the Opposition to "clock it" — a Gen Z phrase meaning to recognise or acknowledge something. "Where Congress created a policy vacuum, Modi clocked it, if I may borrow the language of Gen Z, and created a solution.
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