India’s younger generation should never be viewed with suspicion simply because it questions the system, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Thursday, delivering one of his strongest endorsements yet of young people’s constitutional right to protest. Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebration of the India International Model United Nations (IIMUN), Bhagwat argued that democratic dissent is an essential part of nation-building and insisted that protests should be understood as an effort to improve institutions rather than an attack on individuals.
His remarks come at a time when student demonstrations, youth-led campaigns, and public protests have increasingly become part of India’s political and social landscape. Against this backdrop, Bhagwat urged authorities and society alike to listen carefully to the concerns of young citizens instead of dismissing them or branding them with negative labels.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Defends Gen Z’s Right to Protest
Responding to a question about demonstrations led by India’s younger generation, Bhagwat said democracy already provides constitutional mechanisms for expressing disagreement. Rather than viewing protests as acts of defiance, he said people should examine the underlying issues that compel young citizens to take to the streets.
“If Gen Z is raising its voice, it is not doing so merely to oppose someone. There is some problem, some pain, and that should be addressed,” Bhagwat said. “Agitation should not be against you or me. It should be for correcting the system.”
He stressed that protests become confrontational only when dialogue begins too late. According to him, meaningful communication between governments, institutions, and protesters should start at the earliest stage so that grievances can be resolved before they escalate into larger conflicts.
Bhagwat’s comments are significant because they frame public dissent as a democratic tool for institutional reform rather than political confrontation. His emphasis on constitutional protest also reinforces the idea that disagreement and patriotism are not mutually exclusive in a democracy.
‘Gen Z Is Not Anti-National,’ Says Bhagwat
One of the strongest moments of Bhagwat’s interaction came when he addressed the growing tendency to describe young protesters as “anti-national.” Rejecting such characterisations outright, he said India’s youth are an integral part of the nation’s future and deserve trust instead of suspicion.
“Gen Z is our own next generation. They are not anti-national,” he said.
He explained that society must strengthen the relationship between generations so that both young people and those in positions of authority can better understand each other’s perspectives. According to Bhagwat, a sense of belonging is essential for constructive dialogue.
He went a step further by praising the younger generation’s integrity, saying he believes Gen Z and even Gen Alpha possess a level of honesty that inspires confidence.
“I believe this new generation is more honest. Appeals based on patriotism and service resonate honestly with them,” he remarked.
Bhagwat was also asked about incidents in which young protesters allegedly faced police action, including lathi-charge and pellet firing. However, he refrained from commenting on individual cases, saying he did not have complete information.
“To understand why such incidents happen, we need to examine the facts. I do not have complete information, and I don’t think you do either,” he said. “But if I am asked to trust someone without knowing all the facts, I will trust Gen Z.”
The statement stood out because it reflected confidence in the intentions of India’s younger generation while simultaneously calling for fact-based assessments of controversial incidents.
Education Should Not Become a Business
The discussion later shifted from protests to education, where Bhagwat expressed concern over the condition of many schools across the country. Referring to inadequate facilities such as toilets for girls and access to clean drinking water, he said education must remain a national priority and should never be treated as a commercial enterprise.
“Education is not a business. It is a necessity of life,” Bhagwat said.
He argued that quality education should remain accessible to every child regardless of economic background. Rising education costs and school fees, he suggested, require serious public attention because education serves as the foundation of national development.
Rather than placing the responsibility solely on governments, Bhagwat called for broader community participation in improving educational institutions.
“Our children’s education is our collective responsibility. If facilities are lacking, society should actively help improve schools while also remaining vigilant,” he said.
To illustrate his point, Bhagwat referred to villages where local residents, volunteers, and community organisations pooled resources to improve school infrastructure. According to him, communities have successfully arranged essential facilities, including computer screens and classroom equipment, demonstrating that social participation can complement government efforts.
Teacher Training Must Be the Priority
While discussing reforms, Bhagwat argued that improving infrastructure alone would not transform education unless equal attention is paid to teachers.
“We have to start with teachers and train them,” he said.
He maintained that teacher development should precede curriculum reform because educators remain the central pillar of any education system. Curriculum changes, he added, should move alongside professional training so that classrooms produce capable, responsible citizens instead of merely completing academic exercises.
Bhagwat also reiterated that education should focus on preparing the next generation for national development rather than operating schools with a profit-oriented mindset.
Towards the end of his address, he encouraged the India International Model United Nations to undertake projects that strengthen schools through community participation. He expressed confidence that such initiatives could make a meaningful contribution to improving education across the country.
Why Bhagwat’s Remarks Matter in India’s Current Political Climate
Bhagwat’s observations arrive during a period when debates over student protests, democratic freedoms, educational reforms, and youth participation in public life have become increasingly prominent. Across universities and public spaces, young Indians have frequently emerged at the centre of discussions on governance, accountability, employment, examinations, and social issues.
His assertion that protests should aim to “correct the system” rather than target individuals introduces a broader conversation about how democratic societies respond to dissent. Equally significant is his rejection of branding young demonstrators as anti-national, a statement that underscores the importance of dialogue over confrontation.
His emphasis on education also broadens the conversation beyond politics. By linking accessible education, teacher training, community participation, and institutional reform, Bhagwat presented a vision in which social responsibility extends beyond governments to include citizens themselves.
The event brought together several distinguished personalities from diverse fields, including actor Boman Irani, industrialist Nadir Godrej, actor Ravi Dubey, choreographer Shiamak Davar, authors Amish Tripathi and Ashwin Sanghi, former Army Chief General V. P. Malik, scientist A. S. Kiran Kumar, businessman Ajay Piramal, banker Deepak Parekh, Olympian P. T. Usha, badminton champion Saina Nehwal, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, singer Leslie Lewis, television producer J. D. Majethia, Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav, and entrepreneur Harshwardhan, reflecting the broad national participation at the IIMUN anniversary celebrations.