3 weeks ago
BJP backs Bhagwat's Gen Z remarks; Opposition flags RSS contradictions
There is a large organisation in India called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, which promotes Indian culture and values.
Its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, is a very important person.
Recently, some young people in India, known as Gen Z, protested because exam papers were leaked and they worried about their future.
Bhagwat said the young people's feelings are genuine and fair.
He said it is okay for young people to protest, and that protesting does not make them bad for the country.
He also said India should spend more money on education.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, which leads the government, said it agrees with Bhagwat.
But some other political parties said his words do not match what the RSS and the BJP have said before.
They also said young people are angry mainly because they cannot find jobs.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the grievances of Gen Z are genuine and that protests by young people do not make them 'anti-national'.
At an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat called protest a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy and backed raising education spending to 6 per cent of GDP.
The BJP backed the remarks, with leaders Tarun Chugh, Kangana Ranaut, Shashank Mani Tripathi and Damodar Agarwal praising his statement.
BJP MP Damodar Agarwal alleged that 'anti-national' forces, including from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party, exploited the students' movement over exam paper leaks.
Opposition leaders Chandrashekhar Azad and Sanjay Yadav said the remarks exposed contradictions between the RSS and the BJP, and questioned why Bhagwat had not spoken earlier on actions against students.
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP leaders who backed him, and opposition leaders Chandrashekhar Azad and Sanjay Yadav who criticised him.
- What
- A political row over Bhagwat's support for Gen Z protesters and his call for higher education spending, with the BJP backing him and the opposition alleging contradictions with the RSS.
- Where
- Mumbai, where Bhagwat made his remarks, and New Delhi, where leaders reacted at the Parliament House complex.
- When
- Bhagwat spoke at an event in Mumbai on Thursday; BJP and opposition reactions came on Friday, according to the report dated Aug 7.
- Why
- Bhagwat said students' grievances over issues such as exam paper leaks are genuine and that protests are legitimate in a democracy, while the opposition says his remarks reveal inconsistencies between the RSS and the BJP.
Opposition parties
BJP and RSS
Students' protests and the 'anti-national' label
Opposition parties
Opposition leaders say students' protests are genuine and driven by real grievances such as unemployment and exam paper leaks, and Bhagwat's backing confirms this.
BJP and RSS
BJP leaders say the students' protest was not anti-national, but allege that 'anti-national' forces from parties such as the Congress, AAP and Samajwadi Party exploited the movement for their own agenda.
Consistency between the RSS and the BJP
Opposition parties
Opposition MPs say Bhagwat's remarks expose a gap between RSS words and actions, noting RSS office-bearers and BJP leaders had earlier questioned protesters, and asking why Bhagwat did not speak on the baton charge or the firing in Bihar.
BJP and RSS
BJP leaders fully back Bhagwat's remarks, calling his speech and interview 'very responsible' and insisting there is no contradiction with the party's stance on youth.
Reasons behind youth anger
Opposition parties
Chandrashekhar Azad says the biggest reason for youth anger is unemployment and that the language of the BJP differs from that of the RSS.
BJP and RSS
BJP leaders say Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently worked to help youth fulfil their dreams, describing Gen Z as the main engine of a developed India and increasingly embracing the country's cultural identity.
Key facts
- RSS chief
- Mohan Bhagwat
- Context
- Student stir over exam paper leaks, including the NEET paper leak
- Key remark
- Gen Z grievances are genuine; protests are not 'anti-national'
- Education spending proposal
- Increase to 6 per cent of GDP
- Venue and timing
- Mumbai event on Thursday; reactions in New Delhi on Friday, Aug 7
- BJP leaders backing Bhagwat
- Tarun Chugh, Kangana Ranaut, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Damodar Agarwal
- Opposition critics
- Chandrashekhar Azad (Azad Samaj Party), Sanjay Yadav (RJD)
- Agarwal's allegation
- Anti-national forces from Congress, AAP and Samajwadi Party exploited the students' movement
Quotes
Mohamed Bhagwat
RSS chief who made the remarks
“"If there is one main engine of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda of a developed India, it is the youth of India. And today’s youth, whom people call Gen Z, are the ones in whom the prime minister has the greatest faith, and he constantly works to take them forward."”
theprint.in
“"The students’ protest was certainly not anti‑national. It was anti‑national forces that took advantage of the students’ movement to pursue their own agenda."”
theprint.in
Sources
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