Bhagwat Backs Gen Z, Says Youth Protests Reflect Demand for System Correction

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said Generation Z should not be viewed as anti-national, describing Gen Z and Gen Alpha as more honest and sincere than the present generation. His remarks came against the backdrop of recent protests by students over examination paper leaks.

“If Gen Z is protesting, it should not be seen as anti-national. They are our own people and the next generation. Dialogue should be held with them in a warm and friendly manner. I think Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more honest and sincere than the present generation and have a genuine commitment to patriotism and service,” Mr. Bhagwat said while responding to a question on allegations that some members of Gen Z are being labelled anti-national or agents of foreign countries.

Speaking at the 15th anniversary conference of the India International Model United Nations (IIMUN) at Mumbai’s Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), Mr. Bhagwat interacted with around 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha students on issues including education, social media, unemployment and India’s international relations. He said young people taking to the streets should be seen not merely as protesters but as citizens seeking “system correction”.

“We must understand that if Gen Z is raising its voice, it is not doing so merely for the sake of protesting, but because of a genuine problem or grievance. Their concerns should therefore be taken seriously and addressed,” he said.

Mr. Bhagwat added that protests should be aimed at improving systems rather than targeting individuals. If the objective is to bring about necessary reforms, he said, protests are a healthy part of the democratic process. He also said timely dialogue could have prevented many protests from escalating.

“If an effective process of dialogue had been maintained from the outset, the situation might not have escalated into protests. Timely dialogue and resolution of grievances are the most important aspects of a democracy,” Mr. Bhagwat said.

On education, the RSS chief reiterated his support for allocating six per cent of the country’s GDP to the sector, saying education should be treated as a necessity rather than a commercial enterprise. He also cautioned against excessive dependence on social media, saying banning digital platforms would be counterproductive. Instead, he urged young people to develop critical thinking and verify information through authentic sources before believing or sharing online content.

“Those who have become role models and public icons should act responsibly, keeping in mind that they must not push their supporters into a pit,” he said.

On LGBTQ+ rights, Mr. Bhagwat said members of the community are an integral part of society but maintained that, in the Indian tradition, marriage is an institution for family formation. “The LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of our society. However, in our tradition, marriage is not merely an arrangement for two people to live together; it is a social institution that creates a family. Therefore, instead of altering the institution of marriage, a separate legal framework should be created under which same-sex partners can live together. Society will accept such an arrangement,” he said.