Bhagwat said governments should engage with young people before public protests become necessary, as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat described Gen Z and Gen Alpha as more patriotic and honest than previous generations during an interaction with students in Mumbai.
Bhagwat said governments should listen to young people before disagreements escalate into protests, as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat interacted with nearly 2,000 students at the 15th anniversary of the India International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai on Thursday.
Speaking to participants aged 11 to 19, Bhagwat said dialogue remains the best way to resolve differences and that protests become necessary only when communication fails. His remarks came amid continuing debate over youth-led demonstrations following the nationwide protests against the NEET paper leak.
Bhagwat Says Dialogue Can Prevent Public Protests
Bhagwat said a protest is also a form of dialogue in a democracy and should be viewed as an effort to improve the system rather than an attack on any individual or institution.
“If the government had spoken to the students earlier, there would have been no need for an agitation,” he said, adding that communication should always be the first step in resolving disputes.
He also said that while the Constitution gives citizens the right to protest, demonstrations should remain peaceful and within democratic norms.
Bhagwat Praises Gen Z for Questioning and Seeking Answers
Bhagwat said today’s young people ask questions instead of accepting everything without discussion. He said this reflects a positive change.
According to him, Gen Z wants logical answers as well as empathy from elders. He described the younger generation as more honest and more patriotic than previous generations and said society should listen to their concerns rather than dismiss them.
He rejected the idea that young protesters should automatically be labelled anti-national.
“If Gen Z is raising its voice, there is likely a genuine concern behind it,” Bhagwat said. “They are our own people and our next generation.”
Bhagwat Calls for Education Reform
The RSS chief said education should not become a commercial business and must remain accessible to everyone.
He supported increasing investment in education and said responsibility for improving schools should not rest with governments alone. Society, community organisations and individuals must also contribute to strengthening educational infrastructure, he said.
Bhagwat cited examples of villages where local communities had improved schools by providing computers and other facilities.
Bhagwat on AI, Social Media and Responsibility
Responding to questions on social media, Bhagwat said artificial intelligence has made it easier to create fake content, making verification more important than ever.
He urged social media users to act responsibly because their behaviour influences followers. While governments can introduce regulations, he said such rules will work only if people voluntarily follow them.
Bhagwat on Employment and Reservation
On employment, Bhagwat said jobs should not be limited to government service and urged young people to respect every profession.
He said unemployment can be reduced only when society stops treating certain occupations as inferior.
Responding to a question on reservation, Bhagwat said the issue should remain free from political competition and should be viewed in the context of social justice and constitutional principles.
Bhagwat Discusses Women, LGBTQ Issues and Foreign Relations
Bhagwat reiterated that women should receive equal opportunities and leadership roles across society. He said women’s participation is essential not only in India but globally.
On same-sex marriage, he said LGBTQ people are part of society but argued that any change to the institution of marriage should come only after wider social acceptance.
When asked about relations with Pakistan and China, Bhagwat said citizens should stand with the government during conflict. However, once hostilities end, countries should seek dialogue because permanent conflict benefits no one.
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