Mumbai, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday defended the right of young people to express dissent, saying protests are a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy and that the grievances of Gen Z must be heard.
Addressing and interacting with more than 2,000 students from Generation Z and Generation Alpha at the 15th anniversary conference of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN), Bhagwat said the younger generation was more honest than previous generations and had a strong sense of patriotism and responsibility.
“If I were to trust anyone blindly, I would blindly trust Gen Z,” Bhagwat said while responding to questions about youth-led protests.
His remarks came amid recent student protests in Delhi over allegations related to the NEET paper leak, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party.
Bhagwat said young people protesting over genuine concerns should not be labelled anti-national. “What is Gen Z? They are our own people. If they protest for a cause, how is that wrong? Their grievances ought to be heard,” he said.
Explaining his views on protests in a democracy, the RSS chief said dissent is a form of communication that helps resolve issues through discussion.
“Just as we sit here and converse—where I understand your points and you understand mine—dialogue prevents conflict. If an issue remains unresolved, disputes arise,” he said, adding that protests should not be used to create social divisions.
Bhagwat said reforms were needed in India’s education system and stressed that dialogue was essential to address concerns. He added that while the Constitution provides citizens the right to express dissent, protests must remain within constitutional limits and should not become a tool for creating divisions.
On allegations of police action, including cane-charge and use of pellet guns against protesting students, Bhagwat said he did not have sufficient information to comment on the matter.
“Why did this happen? One needs to look deeper into it. I do not possess the required information regarding this right now,” he said, adding that a proper assessment was needed to determine where any lapse occurred.
Bhagwat also referred to reports about alleged infiltration of the protest movement, saying he was not aware of the accuracy of such claims. However, he reiterated his faith in Gen Z.
Discussing education reforms, Bhagwat said education should be viewed as a necessity for society and future generations rather than merely a commercial activity. He supported the demand for allocating six per cent of the national budget to education and said society must also contribute towards strengthening the education system.
On social issues, Bhagwat said the LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of society. He added that issues such as same-sex marriage require careful consideration, including preparation of legal and social frameworks.
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