RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has described Gen Z and Gen Alpha as more honest than the current generation, saying young people respond genuinely to appeals for patriotism and public service.
He also defended their right to raise concerns through protests, arguing that young Indians who agitate over issues should not be branded “anti-national”.
Speaking at the youth conference ‘The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way' on Thursday, Bhagwat said Gen Z is “apne log”, or “our own people”, and represents the next generation of the country.
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“If the Gen Z is agitating, they certainly aren't anti-nationals; they are our own people, our next generation,” the 75-year-old RSS chief said.
Bhagwat, however, drew a distinction between the right to protest and the manner in which protests are conducted. He said he would not argue that Gen Z should not protest, but stressed that a democracy provides established ways to raise grievances.
Bhagwat Says Gen Z Responds To Patriotism, Service
Bhagwat said the younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are more honest than the present generation and have a genuine response to calls for patriotism and service.
“If you ask me to trust blindly, I'll trust Gen Z,” he said when asked about his confidence in the younger generation.
His remarks come amid growing political and public attention around youth-led protests and the concerns being raised by young Indians over education and other issues.
The comments also come days after student protests in Delhi over alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET entrance examination.
Bhagwat On Pellet Guns: ‘I Don't Have Complete Information'
Asked specifically about the reported use of pellet guns against protesting students, Bhagwat declined to offer a definitive assessment.
He said he did not have complete information about the circumstances surrounding the incident and would need to examine what led to the confrontation before determining what went wrong.
“I need to look into the reasons behind this situation; I don't have the complete information yet,” Bhagwat said, adding that he could not say at that point what happened or who was right or wrong.
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Youth Could Play Key Role In 2029 Elections
The political significance of the younger population adds weight to the discussion.
More than half of India's population of around 1.4 billion is below the age of 35, making young voters a crucial demographic for political parties. Gen Z is also expected to constitute one of the country's largest voting blocs by the time India holds its next general election in 2029.
Bhagwat's comments therefore, place the focus not only on the immediate question of student protests but also on the relationship between India's political establishment and a generation that is becoming increasingly important to the country's electoral and social part.
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