Bhagwat said Gen Z protesters are not anti-nationals and their genuine concerns deserve dialogue and resolution.
He urged democratic protests to focus on consensus, system correction, and constitutional methods rather than division.
Bhagwat called for responsible social media use, urging verification of content and self-imposed digital discipline.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that Gen Z protesters should not be viewed as anti-nationals, asserting that they are "our own people" and the country's next generation.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the annual championship conference of the International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), Bhagwat said he did not believe Gen Z was against the nation. “If Gen Z is protesting, they are not anti-nationals. They are our own people, our next generation,” he added.
“I think the new generation - the Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is more honest than our existing generation and the honest appeal of patriotism and service works with them,” he said.
Protests And Dialogue
On student protests and dialogue in a democracy, Bhagwat said protests are also a method to reach consensus through discussion. He said that if issues are not heard due to various reasons, agitation can be carried out, but the purpose should be to evolve consensus and not create divisions.
Referring to recent Gen Z protests, Bhagwat said their grievances were genuine and that a lot needed to be done in India’s education system. He said the concerns raised by students should lead to dialogue.
Comparing generations, Bhagwat said that when his generation was young, they were habitual of accepting what elders said and did not question them. He added that Gen Z and Gen Alpha ask questions, seek logical answers and want understanding.
System Correction
Explaining the democratic process, Bhagwat referred to the concept of debate and “shastrarth”, saying that different perspectives and counter-opinions help bring out new dimensions on subjects and contribute to a broader understanding of truth.
Bhagwat said Gen Z should not be told not to protest, but there are methods of how and what should be done in a democracy. He referred to the Constitution and speeches of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, saying these should be looked at while understanding democratic expression.
He added that young people are not raising their voices to oppose individuals but because they have issues that need to be addressed. “Agitation should not be against me or you, but for system correction,” he said.
Digital Discipline
On the influence of social media on Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Bhagwat said forming rules alone is not enough and that success depends on changes in attitude. He said laws become effective when society accepts them.
Bhagwat also cautioned about fake videos and false statements being attributed to people through technology. He said social media content should not be trusted without verification from authentic sources and called for self-imposed discipline while using social media.
The event, marking the 15th anniversary of IIMUN, brought together more than 2,000 high school students aged 15 to 19 from over 100 cities across India. The conference focuses on the theme “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way.
