Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Protesting Doesn't Make Gen Z Anti-National: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
The leader of a big organization in India, called the RSS, spoke to a room full of young people.
These young people are part of a group called Gen Z. Some grown-ups thought the young people were not loyal to their country because they held protests.
A protest is when people gather together to show they are upset about something.
The young people were upset about their schools, their exams, and the way the police treated them.
The RSS leader said the young people are 'our own people' and are not against their country.
He said they are more honest than older generations and ask smart questions.
He also said leaders should look into why the police were so rough with the protesters.
He wants the country to spend more money on education and train better teachers.
His message to adults is to listen to young people instead of calling them bad.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Gen Z protesters are 'our own people, our next generation' and that protesting does not make them 'anti-national.'
He praised Gen Z and Gen Alpha as 'more honest' than the current generation, saying they want 'logical answers' rather than blindly following elders.
The remarks, made Thursday at an IIMUN youth conference in Mumbai, followed nationwide Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests over the NEET paper leak and exam mismanagement.
Bhagwat said the reasons behind the police lathi charge and pellet gun use on protesters at Jantar Mantar need to be studied.
He also called for an education budget hike of 2-3 percent, better teacher training, and said social media needs 'self-discipline, not a ban.'
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing an audience of Gen Z and Gen Alpha students
- What
- Said young protesters are 'our own people' and not 'anti-national,' called their grievances genuine, and urged study of the police crackdown and greater education spending
- When
- Thursday, August 6, 2026
- Where
- Nita Mukesh Ambani Centre, Mumbai; the protests discussed took place at Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Why
- In response to nationwide student protests over alleged exam mismanagement and the NEET paper leak, and over criticism of police action against protesters
Critics' perspective
RSS chief's perspective
Gen Z protests and the 'anti-national' label
Critics' perspective
Some observers and commentators framed the recent student agitation, including the Jantar Mantar protests, as 'anti-national' or unpatriotic behaviour.
RSS chief's perspective
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Gen Z are 'our own people, our next generation' and that protesting does not make them 'anti-national'; he called their grievances genuine.
Police response to the protests
Critics' perspective
Students and critics called the police lathi charge and use of tear gas and pellet guns at Jantar Mantar 'brutal'; the agitation escalated after police forcibly took hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to hospital.
RSS chief's perspective
Bhagwat said he lacks complete information on what happened and why, and argued the reasons behind the lathi charge and pellet gun use need to be studied before anyone is blamed.
LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage
Critics' perspective
LGBTQ rights supporters, including students in the audience, favour allowing same-sex marriage; student Tarun Kumar said he was disappointed by Bhagwat's position.
RSS chief's perspective
Bhagwat said LGBTQ people are part of society, but argued marriage is an institution to create a family and suggested a law allowing same-sex couples to live together without marrying.
- Speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat
- Organization
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- Key statement
- Gen Z are 'our own people, our next generation'; protesting does not make them 'anti-national'
- Event
- IIMUN conference 'The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way' at Nita Mukesh Ambani Centre, Mumbai
- Date
- Thursday, August 6, 2026
- Audience
- More than 2,000 students, mostly aged 15-20
- Context
- Nationwide student protests over the NEET paper leak and alleged mismanagement of competitive examinations
- Related development
- Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25; BJP launched a youth outreach programme (RSS is the BJP's parent organisation)
Sources
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Breaks Silence On Protests By Gen Z And Gen Alpha Students In India
'Protesting Doesn't Make Gen Z Anti-National: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
‘Gen Z our own people not anti-nationals’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
Protesting does not make youth ‘anti-national’, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says at student event
