I trust Gen Z blindly, protesting doesn't make them anti-national: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday strongly backed India's younger generation, saying he would "trust Gen Z blindly" and asserting that students taking part in protests should not be labelled anti-national.

Addressing around 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha members at the 15th anniversary celebrations of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai, Bhagwat said the younger generation deserved to be heard through dialogue rather than judged for questioning authority.

"I want to make it clear that if Gen Z engages in any agitation, they are not anti-national. They are our own people; they are our next generation. A sense of belonging and mutual respect is needed for dialogue to take place. We need to recognise and respect each other. Only then can a meaningful dialogue happen, where we understand their concerns and they understand our perspective," Bhagwat said.

Describing today's youth as more honest than previous generations, he added, "I believe today's younger generation, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is more honest than the existing generation. This generation should have honesty towards the nation, a spirit of patriotism, and a commitment to service."

Bhagwat reiterated his faith in young people even while acknowledging that he did not know the complete facts behind the recent confrontation between police and protesters.

"I will trust Gen Z blindly," he said. Referring to reports of the use of tear gas and pellet guns



during the protests, Bhagwat said conclusions should not be drawn without verified information.

"If I had to believe, I will believe Gen Z. But we do not know the reality. Both of us are conversing on the basis of information available through reports. There have also been reports of some anti-social elements in this movement. But we cannot talk without authentic information," he said.

Calling protest an integral part of democracy, Bhagwat said dialogue was essential to address genuine grievances.

"Protest is also one of the means of dialogue. Democracy is a way to make consensus after discussion. Grievance is genuine, and a lot has to be improved in our nation's education system. So dialogue is important," he said.

Drawing a contrast with previous generations, Bhagwat said today's youth are more willing to question authority.

"We never used to question authorities, but Gen Z and Gen Alpha question authority and want logical answers, that too with love," he said.

The RSS chief said he would never discourage young people from protesting. "I will never say that Gen Z should not protest, but there should also be a way given in democracy. We need to see that if youth is shouting, it is not for opposing but for improvement," he said.

He added that there were shortcomings in the system that needed to be rectified and that student protests seeking reforms should be viewed as a legitimate democratic exercise.