'Trust Gen Z blindly': RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat backs student protests, says they are 'our people'

Speaking at the Mumbai Conference titled 'The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way', Bhagwat described Gen Z as "apne log" (our own people) and expressed confidence in the country's youth.

"If the Gen Z is agitating, they certainly aren't anti-nationals; they are our own people, our next generation. With this sense of belonging, along with dialogue, their concerns should be understood," Bhagwat said.

'Protest is also a form of dialogue'

Without discouraging demonstrations, the 75-year-old RSS chief said protests are a legitimate democratic tool when other avenues fail.

"I won't say Gen Z should not protest. In a democracy, there are ways of going about it," he said.

Calling protests an extension of dialogue, Bhagwat added: "Protest is also a form of dialogue. If discussions don't resolve an issue, people will naturally raise their voices."

'Gen Z is more honest than our generation'

Bhagwat praised the younger generation for questioning authority rather than accepting instructions unquestioningly.

"I feel that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more honest than our current generation. They genuinely respond to appeals regarding patriotism and service," he said.

Contrasting today's youth with his own generation, he said: "When we were young, we accepted what elders said without questioning. Gen Z and Gen Alpha ask questions; they want logical answers."

Comments come after nationwide student protests

Bhagwat's remarks come days after massive student protests over the undergraduate medical entrance examination paper leak, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, forced the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar saw police use lathicharges, tear gas and pellet guns against protesters attempting to march towards Parliament.

Asked whether earlier engagement could have prevented the unrest, Bhagwat said any such situation reflects a failure somewhere in the system.

The CJP had called off its protest at Jantar Mantar after 37 days following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Photo: Instagram/CJP

"When something that shouldn't happen does happen, there has been a deficiency somewhere. It should be identified and corrected," he said.

No comment on pellet gun use

When asked specifically about reports of pellet guns being used against student protesters, Bhagwat declined to comment, saying he did not have sufficient information.

"I need to examine the details to determine exactly where things went wrong. I cannot say right now what happened or how it happened because I don't have the complete information," he said.

'If you ask me to trust blindly, I'll trust Gen Z'

With more than half of India's 1.4 billion population below the age of 35 and Gen Z expected to become one of the largest voting blocs by the 2029 general election, Bhagwat said the younger generation deserves confidence rather than suspicion.

"If you ask me to trust blindly, I'll trust Gen Z," he said, throwing his weight behind India's youth.