Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said that protesting does not make members of Generation Z anti-national [1].
The statement marks a notable outreach effort by the RSS to engage with younger demographics who have expressed frustration over education and social issues. By framing protest as a legitimate tool, Bhagwat seeks to bridge the gap between the nationalist organization and youth-led movements.
During a dialogue event held in Mumbai on Aug. 6, 2024 [1], Bhagwat met with more than 2,000 young participants [1]. The gathering focused on addressing education-related grievances and promoting a culture of dialogue over division [1].
Bhagwat addressed the nature of democratic dissent during the session. "Protest is a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy and should be aimed at building consensus rather than creating divisions," Bhagwat said [1].
The RSS chief emphasized that the goal of such interactions is to ensure that the grievances of the youth are heard and addressed through constructive means. He said that "protesting doesn't make Gen Z anti-national" [2], suggesting that the act of disagreeing with policy or administration does not equate to a lack of patriotism.
This outreach comes as a strategic move to counter perceptions of the RSS as an organization primarily focused on older generations. By validating the grievances of Gen Z, the leadership aims to incorporate youth perspectives into the broader nationalist framework, while encouraging a specific type of consensus-building dialogue.
“"Protesting doesn't make Gen Z anti-national."”
This shift in rhetoric suggests the RSS is attempting to soften its image to appeal to a younger, more skeptical generation. By decoupling 'protest' from 'anti-nationalism,' Bhagwat is attempting to create a space where Gen Z can remain within the nationalist fold while still expressing systemic grievances, particularly regarding education.
