Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Priyanka Gandhi slams Bhagwat, says Gen Z needs no certificate
Mr. Mohan Bhagwat leads a big Indian organization called the RSS.
He spoke up for young people in India, who are sometimes called Gen Z. He said the things they are upset about are real and fair.
He also said that when young people protest, it does not mean they are against their country.
Mr. Bhagwat explained that protesting is a normal way to talk in a democracy and should bring people together, not split them apart.
His message came after students protested because exam papers were leaked.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said young people do not need a certificate from him.
She also said Home Minister Amit Shah seems scared because he is not coming to Parliament, and that someone should take responsibility for what happened to students on July 20.
Mr. Bhagwat also asked India to spend more money on education, about 6 percent of the country's GDP.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday backed Gen Z, saying their grievances are genuine and protests by young people are not 'anti-national'.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday dismissed his remarks, saying Gen Z 'doesn't need a certificate from Mohan Bhagwat ji.'
Bhagwat called protest a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy that should build consensus rather than create divisions.
Priyanka Gandhi said Union Home Minister Amit Shah appears 'afraid' and should come to both Houses, give a statement, and take responsibility for alleged police excesses on July 20.
Speaking in Mumbai, Bhagwat said concerns over India's education system were genuine and backed increasing education spending to 6 percent of GDP.
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also drawn into the exchange.
- What
- Bhagwat publicly backed Gen Z and their protests, while Priyanka Gandhi dismissed his endorsement as unnecessary and demanded that Amit Shah give a statement in Parliament over alleged police excesses.
- When
- Bhagwat's remarks came on Thursday; Priyanka Gandhi responded on Friday. Student protests over exam paper leaks and alleged police excesses occurred on July 20.
- Where
- Mumbai, where Bhagwat spoke, and the Parliament House complex in New Delhi, where Priyanka Gandhi spoke to reporters.
- Why
- Because of student protests over exam paper leaks, alleged police excesses on July 20, and Bhagwat's public backing of Gen Z.
Congress (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra)
RSS (Mohan Bhagwat)
Bhagwat's backing of Gen Z
Congress (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra)
Gen Z does not need a certificate from Mohan Bhagwat ji; his endorsement is unnecessary.
RSS (Mohan Bhagwat)
Gen Z's grievances are genuine, their honesty is trusted, and their protests are not anti-national; protest is a legitimate form of democratic dialogue.
Accountability for July 20 police excesses
Congress (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra)
Home Minister Amit Shah appears 'afraid' and should come to both Houses, give a statement, and take responsibility for the alleged police excesses against student protesters.
RSS (Mohan Bhagwat)
Protest should be aimed at building consensus rather than creating divisions.
- RSS Chief
- Mohan Bhagwat
- Congress Leader
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Union Home Minister
- Amit Shah
- Bhagwat's Statement
- Gen Z grievances are genuine; protests are not 'anti-national'
- Priyanka Gandhi's Response
- 'They don't need a certificate from Mohan Bhagwat ji'
- Protest Issue
- Exam paper leaks; alleged police excesses against students on July 20
- Proposed Education Spending
- 6 percent of GDP
- Locations
- Mumbai (Bhagwat); Parliament House complex (Priyanka Gandhi)
