3 days Ago
Representative image PUNE: Young singles are tweaking the digital dating scene this poll season, by adding an unexpected filter to their search for love and compatibility-political ideology. Traditional markers such as shared interests, physical attraction, or career ambitions are taking a backseat. Now, it is about political alignment , with user profiles displaying 'leftist', 'rightist', 'liberal', and 'apolitical' as non-negotiable criteria for potential matches.
For many, the other person's political stance tells them about the person's core values, worldview, lifestyle and even how they approach important life decisions. The stakes are particularly high when it comes to basic issues. Disha Choudhury, a 24-year-old IIT graduate who put 'leftist' in her bio, matched with someone who put 'right wing' in theirs.
She said, "We met and talked about films, music, web series and food. It was a fun date. But over the next few meetings, I noticed regressive remarks about feminism, reservations and homosexuality, which made me decide to put an end to this romantic pursuit.
Since then, I have made it a point to swipe right only on people whose ideologies match mine." Krittika Bhatta, a 24-year-old freelance writer, said politics is not about opinion. "It is a window to who you are, the culture you are raised in, and how you engage with the world.
Everything is political." The notion of being 'apolitical', once considered a harmless quirk, has evolved into a significant red flag for many daters. The importance of political ideology in dating is not just about finding someone with identical views but about ensuring fundamental values align, especially on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and the treatment of marginalised communities.
Rashika Jain views political ideology through a cultural lens. "When I see someone who is more right-leaning, it gives me an impression that they are more religiously inclined and tradition-oriented. Their food choices will match mine.
" For many young Indians, political ideology has become a moral litmus test. Kaustubh Bisht, a 26-year-old techie, said, "I seek only those who resonate with my values. Politics isn't just a filter, it is integral to forming a true connection.
" Not everyone, though, fits neatly into the binary categories of 'left' or 'right'. Rohan Basagre, a 27-year-old musician, prefers a more nuanced approach. "I do not mind if the person's views are not the same as mine.
But if you are ignorant, it means you are essentially giving a pass to the people in power who perpetuate inequality." Prerna Agarwal, a 26-year-old IT professional, said she prefers 'moderate' people willing to question things. "I am bisexual.
I love diving into social issues. I want to engage with politics through a lens that does not blindly support any particular party or tear down the other. It is all grey," she said.
Aarav Agashe, a 27-year-old marketing consultant, is not interested in ideological extremes. "What frustrates me is to know that many people are quick to label someone with traditional values as 'right-wing' or 'regressive'. Is politics that simple a concept?" he said.
For Arvind Ramanan, a 28-year-old techie, it is not just about picking sides politically, but about being informed and having an opinion on events that affect humanity. Aayan Jha, another 28-year-old techie, said, "I won't date anyone who thinks politics is not important and dismisses any conversation about it because they are not interested. But I also don't want to waste my time getting caught up in an echo chamber.
Politics should be about values and solutions, not just picking sides." No one is truly apolitical, said Rohit Roy, a 25-year-old marketing professional. "Either they are unaware or are still figuring out their point of view," said Roy.
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