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Bhagwat’s outreach to Gen Z sparks political slugfest
🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

Bhagwat’s outreach to Gen Z sparks political slugfest

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's defense of Gen Z protesters as "not anti-national" drew mixed political reactions.
  • The Congress accused the RSS of controlling the government, while the BJP supported Bhagwat's comments.
  • Bhagwat stated that the younger generation is "more honest" and resonates with patriotism, following student protests over an alleged exam paper leak.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent remarks defending Generation Z protesters as "not anti-national" have ignited a political firestorm. Bhagwat, addressing over 2,000 students in Mumbai, suggested that the younger generation, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is "more honest than the existing generation" and receptive to appeals of patriotism and service. He made these comments days after student-led protests erupted over an alleged leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

If Gen Z is protesting, they are not anti-nationals. They are our own people, our next generation.

— Mohan BhagwatRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks defending Gen Z protesters.

The RSS chief's statements prompted sharp reactions across the political spectrum. The opposition Congress party accused the RSS of covertly running the government, with general secretary KC Venugopal demanding that Bhagwat ask the home minister to resign if he was sincere about Gen Z. Venugopal also questioned Bhagwat's silence during the student protests, calling his remarks "eyewashing." Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that students do not need validation from the RSS chief, as they had raised their concerns independently.

The new generation, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is more honest than the existing generation.

— Mohan BhagwatRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks defending Gen Z protesters.

Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed Bhagwat's comments, urging they be viewed positively. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also supported Bhagwat's distinction between opposing the government and opposing the nation. However, other Congress leaders linked Bhagwat's outreach to Rahul Gandhi's recent parliamentary assertion that the RSS controls the education system. MP Rajeev Shukla noted that the BJP itself had been campaigning against students, labeling them "traitors and criminals," and urged Bhagwat to convey his views to the government. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav suggested the BJP sent Bhagwat to manage the situation after being politically cornered.

RSS is controlling the government. If he has any sincerity towards Gen Z, let him ask the home minister to resign.

— KC VenugopalCongress general secretary KC Venugopal's reaction to Bhagwat's comments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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