Archive · 7 Aug 2026
RSS chief says Gen Z protesters not anti-nationals, more honest
The leader of a big Indian organization called the RSS talked to young people in Mumbai.
He said the young people who protested are not bad people.
He said they are not 'anti-nationals' — that means people who are against their own country.
He thinks the new generation is more honest than older generations.
He said the young people's complaint about schools and education is real.
He said India's education system needs a lot of work.
He said protesting is okay in a democracy when people feel they are not being heard.
But he said protests should bring people together, not split them apart.
He also said everyone, including LGBTQIA+ people, is part of society.
He thinks marriage should stay the same for now, but same-sex couples could have their own set of rules.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told a Gen Z audience in Mumbai that Gen Z protesters are "not anti-nationals" but "our own people, our next generation."
He said Gen Z and Gen Alpha are "more honest than our existing generation" and respond to an honest appeal of patriotism and service.
He called the students' grievance over India's education system "genuine," backed raising education spending to 6% of GDP, and said there should be dialogue.
He said protest in a democracy is a method to evolve consensus through discussion, not to create divisions, while avoiding direct comment on the Narendra Modi government's handling of the protests.
He said the LGBTQIA+ community is an integral part of society but the institution of marriage should not be altered at present, though a separate legal framework for same-sex couples could exist.
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
- What
- Defended Gen Z student protesters as not anti-nationals, called their grievance genuine, and gave views on education, reservation, and LGBTQIA+ marriage
- When
- Thursday, during a Q&A with a Gen Z audience
- Where
- Mumbai
- Why
- To respond to questions about the labelling of student protesters as "anti-nationals" and broader issues of democracy, education, and social change
Defenders of Gen Z protesters
Critics who label protesters anti-nationals
Student protests and the 'anti-national' label
Defenders of Gen Z protesters
Gen Z protesters are not anti-nationals but "our own people, our next generation"; their grievance over education is genuine and should be answered with dialogue.
Critics who label protesters anti-nationals
RSS joint general secretary Atul Limaye and others in the saffron ecosystem have labelled the Jantar Mantar protesters in Delhi "anti-national."
LGBTQIA+ rights and marriage
Defenders of Gen Z protesters
The LGBTQIA+ community is part of society and should be accommodated; a separate legal framework could let same-sex companions live together with dignity and legal protection.
Critics who label protesters anti-nationals
The institution of marriage should not be altered at present as it could lead to "unintended side-effects"; society must be prepared before laws change.
- Speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief
- Location
- Mumbai
- Audience
- About 2,000 students aged 15 to 19 (Gen Z)
- Event
- India International Movement to Unite Nations Annual Championship Conference
- Stance on protesters
- "Not anti-nationals; our own people, our next generation"
- On student grievance
- "Genuine"; supports raising education spending to 6% of GDP
- On protest
- A democratic method to evolve consensus, not to create divisions
- On LGBTQIA+
- Integral part of society; marriage should not be altered now, but a separate legal framework for same-sex couples is possible
