Addressing a youth-led conference titled ‘The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way’, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that young people protesting for their concerns are “our own people” (apne log) and should not be labeled anti-national.
His remarks follow recent student demonstrations in New Delhi regarding undergraduate medical entrance exam paper leaks—protests that ultimately led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Key Takeaways from the Address
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Legitimacy of Protests: Bhagwat highlighted that peaceful protest is a valid form of democratic dialogue when initial communication breaks down.
“If you are in some difficulty… and it’s not happening, then I will shout,” he noted, emphasizing that youth grievances must be met with empathy, dialogue, and a sense of belonging.
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A Questioning Generation: Contrasting today’s youth with earlier generations who accepted authority without pushback, Bhagwat praised Gen Z and Gen Alpha for seeking logical answers and acting with honesty, patriotism, and a spirit of service.
“If you ask me to trust blindly, I’ll trust Gen Z,” he remarked, noting their growing influence ahead of future general elections.
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Acknowledging Systemic Failures: When asked if earlier dialogue could have prevented the escalation at protest sites, the RSS chief acknowledged that lapses occurred along the way and emphasized the need to address structural deficiencies.
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On the Use of Force: Responding to reports regarding police action and the use of pellet guns against student protesters at Jantar Mantar, Bhagwat stated he did not yet have full information on the specifics and would need to examine the details before commenting on where things went wrong.
