RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says protesting doesn’t make Gen Z ‘anti-national’, urges democratic dialogue
THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK New Delhi, Aug. 6: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that members of Generation…
THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Aug. 6: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that members of Generation Z should not be branded “anti-national” for protesting, asserting that they are “our own people” whose concerns deserve to be heard and addressed through democratic means.
Speaking at the international conference titled “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way,” Bhagwat said the country’s younger generation should be engaged constructively rather than dismissed for expressing dissent.
“If the Gen Z is agitating, they certainly aren’t anti-nationals; they are our own people, our next generation,” Bhagwat said.
‘Democracy provides ways to express dissent’
The 75-year-old RSS chief said he was not suggesting that young people should refrain from protesting. However, he emphasised that in a democracy, disagreements and grievances should be expressed through constitutional and democratic methods.
He stressed the importance of understanding the concerns behind youth protests and responding to them through dialogue instead of alienation.
Remarks come amid student protests
Bhagwat’s comments come in the backdrop of recent nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including demonstrations in the national capital that culminated in the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protests, led by student groups, witnessed clashes between demonstrators and police at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Protesters attempting to march towards Parliament alleged that police used lathicharge, tear gas and pellet guns to disperse the crowd.
The agitation has reignited debate over examination reforms, transparency in recruitment and accountability in the education system.
Rahul Gandhi backs students’ concerns
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had also voiced support for the protesting students during a discussion in Parliament.
Describing the demonstrations as an expression of deep frustration rather than hostility, Gandhi said the concerns of India’s youth deserved respect from all political parties.
He said the protests reflected the aspirations and anxieties of the country’s future generation and called on political leaders across party lines to take the students’ grievances seriously.
Bhagwat’s remarks add a significant voice to the ongoing national conversation on youth participation in democratic processes, with the RSS chief underlining that dissent, when exercised through democratic means, should not be equated with anti-nationalism.
