Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said Gen Z protesters are not anti-national during a youth gathering in Mumbai [1, 2].
The statement marks a significant tone for the RSS leader, as it validates student activism and calls for systemic education reforms to address youth grievances [1, 3].
Speaking at a conference for Gen Z students, Bhagwat said that protest is a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy [2, 5]. He said that such actions should be aimed at building consensus rather than creating divisions [5].
Bhagwat expressed a deep level of confidence in the younger generation, saying, "I will trust Gen Z blindly" [3]. He said the youth are honest and patriotic individuals who represent the future of India [1, 3].
Beyond the validation of protests, Bhagwat used the gathering to advocate for education reforms [1]. He said that the grievances of students are genuine and must be heard to ensure the country's progress [3, 4].
By framing student dissent as a democratic tool, Bhagwat sought to encourage dialogue over conflict [1, 3]. He said that the youth should be heard to avoid the alienation of the next generation from the national fabric [3].
“"Gen Z are not anti-national."”
This shift in rhetoric from the RSS chief suggests an effort to bridge the ideological gap between the traditionalist organization and India's digital-native generation. By decoupling student protest from 'anti-nationalism,' Bhagwat is attempting to integrate Gen Z's democratic expressions into a broader nationalist framework while acknowledging that current educational structures may be failing to meet youth needs.
