Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Amish Tripathi Says Gen Z Tamer Than Older Generations
Amish Tripathi said people are being too harsh when they criticize Gen Z. He said older generations also used rude words and protested.
The difference, he explained, is that older behavior was not recorded and shared online as often.
He compared Gen Z’s protests with the armed rebellion associated with the Naxal movement.
He said Gen Z and Gen Alpha are relatively tame compared with some earlier generations.
He also warned that the internet can remember embarrassing moments forever.
Tripathi said India’s government may allow rule-following protests but can respond very strongly if it feels seriously challenged.
He advised young protesters to stay focused on their main goals and avoid being distracted by other demands.
Author Amish Tripathi said criticism of Gen Z’s language and protests is unfair.
He argued Boomers, Gen X and millennials also used harsh language and staged protests.
Tripathi said the Naxal movement represented a more serious form of rebellion than current Gen Z protests.
He warned that social media preserves embarrassing moments and that the Indian state can react harshly when challenged.
He advised Gen Z to stay focused on its goals and be cautious if others try to redirect them.
- Who
- Author Amish Tripathi discussed Gen Z, earlier generations and the Indian state.
- What
- He defended Gen Z against criticism of its language and protests while warning it about online records and state power.
- When
- In an exclusive NDTV interview described as taking place today; he was discussing a recent article.
- Where
- During an interview with NDTV’s Shiv Aroor.
- Why
- To explain his views on Gen Z protests and advise young people to remain focused and cautious.
Critics of Gen Z
Amish Tripathi’s Defense
Language and protest behavior
Critics of Gen Z
Gen Z is portrayed as particularly anti-Indian, crude and rude.
Amish Tripathi’s Defense
Tripathi said older generations used harsher language and also protested, while social media now magnifies and preserves isolated moments from Gen Z demonstrations.
- Speaker
- Author Amish Tripathi
- Interviewer
- NDTV’s Shiv Aroor
- Main comparison
- Tripathi said Gen Z and Gen Alpha are relatively tame compared with earlier generations.
- Older protests
- He cited the Naxal movement and protests by Boomers, Gen X and millennials.
- Social media warning
- He said the internet never forgets and can preserve the worst moments of a protest.
- State response
- He said the Indian state can be accommodating toward rule-following protests but ruthlessly hard when its core power is challenged.
- Advice to Gen Z
- Maintain a laser-sharp focus on original goals and be wary of attempts to add unrelated demands.