3 weeks ago
RSS chief backs student protests; Gen Z not anti-national
The head of a big Indian organization called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) spoke kindly about students who were upset.
His name is Mohan Bhagwat.
He said it is normal and okay for people to protest in a democracy.
He said the protesting students, called Gen Z, are not enemies of the country.
He said the students' anger about schools and education is real and fair.
Earlier, the students had demanded that the education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, leave his job, and he did.
The prime minister, Narendra Modi, also reached out to students on Instagram.
The RSS is like the big teacher of the ruling party, the BJP.
Some people say the RSS controls too much of what children learn in school.
So even though Bhagwat said good things about the students, the news article argues the RSS itself still has to change how it handles education.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called the students' protests, or 'aandolan', part of the consensus-building process in a democracy.
Bhagwat said Gen Z is not 'anti-national' and that students' exasperation with the education system is genuine.
The Narendra Modi government was forced to accept the students' demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Union education minister.
After the resignation, PM Modi did an Instagram outreach to students.
Bhagwat said in June 2022 there was 'no need to look for a shiv ling under every mosque', yet the article says RSS control over curricula and textbooks remains part of the education crisis.
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the Narendra Modi government, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and protesting students.
- What
- Bhagwat defended the students' protests as legitimate democratic expression, said Gen Z is not anti-national, and backed sweeping education reforms after Pradhan's resignation.
- Where
- India.
- When
- Recent; no specific date is given in the article, which cites Bhagwat's comparable remarks from June 2022.
- Why
- Students protested against the education system and demanded Pradhan's resignation; the government conceded and Bhagwat sought to legitimize the students' cause.
Critics of RSS influence
RSS and its supporters
Protests and patriotism
Critics of RSS influence
Students' protests are a genuine part of democratic consensus-building; Gen Z is not anti-national and its exasperation with education is legitimate.
RSS and its supporters
A section of hardline opinion treats such agitations as anti-national, and the government conceded Pradhan's resignation only after it was forced to.
Reforming India's education system
Critics of RSS influence
The education crisis is worsened by RSS control over curricula, textbooks, teacher and vice-chancellor appointments, and seminar approvals; reform must address this.
RSS and its supporters
The RSS chief endorses sweeping education reforms and acknowledges students' concerns, without discussing the RSS's own role in education.
Key facts
- RSS chief
- Mohan Bhagwat (sarsanghchalak of the RSS)
- Resigned minister
- Dharmendra Pradhan, Union education minister
- Government response
- Resignation accepted; PM Modi did an Instagram outreach
- Bhagwat on protests
- Protests are part of democracy's consensus-building process
- Bhagwat on Gen Z
- Not anti-national; exasperation with education is genuine
- RSS-BJP relationship
- RSS is the BJP's ideological mentor
- Earlier remark (June 2022)
- No need to look for a shiv ling under every mosque
- Education concern
- RSS interference in curricula, textbooks, teacher and vice-chancellor appointments, and seminars
Quotes
Mohan Bhagwat
RSS chief and national spiritual head
“"Protest or “aandolan” is part of the consensus-building process in a democracy, said Bhagwat, and Gen Z is not “anti-national” certainly."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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