Archive · 23 Aug 2026
BJP’s Gen Z Outreach Draws Sarcastic Criticism From CJP
The BJP has created a large team to talk with Generation Z, meaning today’s young people.
The party says it wants to understand their concerns, hopes and expectations.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das criticised this plan.
He questioned whether some of the BJP leaders chosen for the team could connect with young people.
Das referred to reported earlier comments by Nitin Nabin about young people and protesters.
He also criticised Smriti Irani over issues from her time as education minister.
BJP leaders say the programme will involve discussions and regular dialogue with young people.
The disagreement is part of a wider political debate about youth issues and student protests.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das criticised the BJP’s newly announced Gen Z outreach programme.
Das questioned whether Nitin Nabin could represent young people after reportedly making derogatory remarks about youth and protesters.
The BJP’s national Gen Z team includes Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, Vinod Tawde, Harsh Sanghavi and OP Choudhary.
The 65-member team was announced on August 17 and includes 51 new faces.
The initiative aims to understand young people’s concerns and create opportunities for direct engagement with BJP leaders.
- Who
- The BJP and its Gen Z outreach team, criticised by CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das.
- What
- The BJP announced a 65-member national team to lead outreach and dialogue with Generation Z.
- When
- The team was announced on August 17; CJP’s criticism was reported the following Sunday.
- Where
- The team was presented at BJP headquarters in Delhi, while related student demonstrations took place at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The BJP says it wants to better understand young people’s concerns, aspirations and expectations and strengthen its connection with younger voters.
CJP’s Criticism
BJP’s Outreach Rationale
Choice of leaders
CJP’s Criticism
Saurav Das sarcastically questioned the BJP’s selection of Gen Z outreach leaders, particularly Nitin Nabin, in light of reported earlier remarks about young people and protesters.
BJP’s Outreach Rationale
The BJP included national and state leaders in a special team intended to engage with young people and understand their concerns.
Smriti Irani’s record
CJP’s Criticism
Das criticised Smriti Irani over issues he associated with her tenure as Union Education Minister, including public universities and the Rohith Vemula case, and questioned her educational qualifications.
BJP’s Outreach Rationale
The article reports that Irani was assigned responsibilities on the outreach team but does not provide a response from her to Das’s allegations.
Approach to young people
CJP’s Criticism
CJP’s criticism suggests that the BJP’s outreach is inconsistent with remarks reportedly made about youth and protesters.
BJP’s Outreach Rationale
The BJP says its programme will involve interactions, discussions and continuous dialogue, described within the party as “Yuva Samvad.”
- Outreach team size
- 65 members
- New members
- 51 new faces
- Announced
- August 17
- Reported team members
- Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, Vinod Tawde, Harsh Sanghavi and OP Choudhary
- BJP programme focus
- Dialogue with Generation Z and discussion of youth concerns
- CJP spokesperson
- Saurav Das
- Related political context
- Youth issues and student demonstrations, including protests at Jantar Mantar