Faith in India’s Young Generation
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed strong confidence in India’s younger generation during the 15th anniversary event of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai. Addressing around 2,000 members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, he said he would “trust Gen Z blindly.” He added that young people are honest, thoughtful, and willing to ask important questions.
Protest Is a Democratic Right
Bhagwat said that students have every democratic right to protest if they want to improve the education system or raise genuine concerns. According to him, protests are a form of dialogue in a democracy and should not be viewed negatively. He stressed that discussions and consensus are essential for solving problems.
He also noted that today’s youth question authority and expect logical answers, which he described as a positive change compared to previous generations.
Do Not Label Youth as Anti-National
The RSS chief cautioned against calling young protesters anti-national simply because they question those in power. He said that people should listen to the concerns of the younger generation with understanding and compassion.
At the same time, Bhagwat acknowledged that he did not know all the facts about recent clashes between protesters and the police. He said authentic information is necessary before reaching any conclusion and noted that reports had also mentioned the presence of anti-social elements.
Education Needs Social Support
Bhagwat said education should not become a commercial activity. He argued that improving education is not only the government’s responsibility but also a duty of society. He also supported the long-standing demand to allocate six percent of the national budget to education and stressed the need to train teachers and reduce the financial burden on students.
Responsible Use of Social Media
Speaking about social media, Bhagwat said that laws alone cannot stop misinformation. He urged influencers to act responsibly and encouraged people to verify information through trusted sources. He also questioned why violent content receives more attention online despite young people generally rejecting violence.
Views on Society and International Relations
Bhagwat said citizens should support the government’s decisions during national security challenges while maintaining a humanitarian approach. Referring to Pakistan and China, he said permanent hatred is not the answer.
On LGBTQ issues, he said the community is an important part of society and deserves acceptance. However, he maintained that while he does not support same-sex marriage, society should develop a system to recognize same-sex companionship.