Archive · 8 Aug 2026
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urges meaningful engagement with Gen Z
The leader of a big Indian organization called the RSS made a speech in Mumbai.
He said that young people in India, called Gen Z, are our own people and are not bad or anti-national.
He said they need to feel that they belong and that their concerns matter.
He also said that older people used to follow what elders said without asking questions.
But now, he said, young people ask questions and want good, logical answers.
An article about this speech says the organization did not notice how upset young people were for a very long time.
It says young people want jobs, good education, and a fair chance to build their future.
The article says just giving a speech is not enough.
The government needs to actually help young people with real actions, not just words, so they can trust it again.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Gen Z are 'apne log' (our people), not anti-nationals, and need a sense of belonging and recognition.
Bhagwat spoke at the Mumbai Conference titled 'The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way.'
He said his generation accepted what elders said, while Gen Z and Gen Alpha ask questions and want logical answers.
The editorial criticizes the RSS, with reported membership of 4-5 million, for failing to gauge Gen Z's anger while focusing on the Hindutva agenda.
The piece argues young Indians need opportunities, transparency, employment, affordable education, skill development and mental health support, not just acknowledgment.
- Who
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- What
- Bhagwat said Gen Z are 'apne log' (our people), not anti-nationals, and need meaningful engagement; the editorial urges the RSS and the Modi government to back words with action on youth issues.
- When
- Exact date not stated in the article; remarks came at a recent RSS youth conference in Mumbai.
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To address Gen Z's anger and frustration over issues such as employment, education costs, skill development and mental health, and to rebuild trust between youth and the establishment.
Editorial critique
RSS leadership view
Are agitating youth anti-national?
Editorial critique
Peaceful protest is a basic right in the world's largest democracy; the implication that agitators must be recognized as 'our people' before being accepted is troubling.
RSS leadership view
RSS chief says Gen Z are not anti-nationals; they are 'our people,' the next generation, who deserve recognition and a sense of belonging.
Words vs. action on youth issues
Editorial critique
Acknowledgment is a good start, but the RSS and the Narendra Modi government must shift priorities to jobs, education costs, mental health and social mobility, or Gen Z frustration will not ease.
RSS leadership view
The RSS recognizes that Gen Z's concerns should be addressed and that a meaningful relationship and honest engagement are needed.
Generational change
Editorial critique
The claim that the older generation never questioned elders is inaccurate; many in the Sangh Parivar, like the late Arun Jaitley, did question and suffered for it.
RSS leadership view
Earlier generations accepted what elders said without questioning, whereas Gen Z and Gen Alpha ask questions and demand logical answers.
- Speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief
- Organization
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- Event
- Mumbai Conference - 'The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way'
- Location
- Mumbai, India
- Reported RSS membership
- 4 million to 5 million
- Core message
- Gen Z are 'apne log' (our people), not anti-nationals; they need belonging and recognition
- Youth demands cited
- Opportunities, transparency, and a fair chance to build their future
- Issues flagged
- Employment, education costs, higher learning quality, skill development, mental health, social mobility