Students' grievances are genuine: says RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat; what he said about Gen Z
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat — Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has sparked a new debate with his remarks regarding the country's new generation—Gen Z—and recent student protests.
Categorically rejecting the "anti-national" label often applied to young people participating in protests, Bhagwat stated that if today's youth take to the streets to protest, it certainly does not mean they are enemies of the country.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more honest than previous generations
Speaking at a student interaction event in Mumbai, Mohan Bhagwat stated unequivocally that it is wrong to label the protesting Gen Z as "anti-national." He argued that this generation consists of our own people and represents our future vanguard.
According to Bhagwat, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more honest than previous generations. A spirit of patriotism and service is deeply ingrained in them, provided they are engaged in an honest dialogue.
Today's youth ask questions and seek logical answers
Praising the reasoning ability of today's youth, Bhagwat noted that while earlier generations accepted the words of elders without question, today's youth ask questions and seek logical answers.
He linked this to the Indian tradition of Shastrartha (intellectual discourse), where truth is sought through dialogue between differing viewpoints. Bhagwat stated that in a democracy, dissent and questioning serve as a means to improve the system.
Students' grievances are genuine
Extending his support to student movements, Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat acknowledged that the students' grievances are "genuine." While admitting the shortcomings of India's current education system, he stated that much needs to be done to improve it.
Stress on transforming education into a tool for character building
Bhagwat emphasized transforming education into a tool for character building rather than a means to earn money, and he supported the demand to allocate 6 percent of the total budget to education. He also highlighted the concerning issue of one million (10 lakh) vacant teaching positions across the country.
Unwavering faith in the youth
When asked about the alleged firing of pellet guns at students and the lack of trust in them, Bhagwat made a deeply emotional and powerful statement. He said that although he did not have full details regarding that specific incident, if there were ever a time to place blind faith in someone, he would place it in "Gen-Z."
Youth are raising their voices to improve the system
Mohan Bhagwat advised the youth to understand the spirit of the Constitution and the speeches delivered by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly. He clarified that the youth are raising their voices to improve the system, not to oppose any specific individual. However, he added that the objective of any movement should be to improve the system, not to divide society.
This statement by Mohan Bhagwat sends a strong message to those who attempt to suppress the voices of students. Bhagwat has made it clear that there is a need to engage in dialogue with the new generation, rather than putting them in the dock. This ‘unwavering faith’ in the youth could alter the course of student politics and social discourse in the times to come.