MUMBAI, August 7, 2026 – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat engaged in a candid dialogue with Gen Z and Gen Alpha students on Thursday, asserting that their grievances are genuine and need to be addressed with love rather than hostility.
Speaking to a massive gathering of over 2,000 high school students at the 15th Anniversary Championship Conference of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN), the RSS Chief firmly disagreed with slapping the “anti-national” tag on young protesters.
The event, held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), was centered around the theme, “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way.” It took place just days after massive student-led protests over exam leaks at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
During an interview moderated by IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah, Bhagwat noted that the current generation is markedly different and much more inquisitive than previous ones.
“They are not anti-national. They are our own next generation. They have to be addressed with that relation. There has to be love,” Bhagwat stated. “In a democracy, debate is important… We too have to see that if Gen Z is shouting, they are doing so due to problems.” He further added that protests are a legitimate method of dialogue designed to build consensus.
1.Stance on LGBTQI Rights:Calls for a system of coexistence.
When asked about the Sangh’s stance on same-sex marriages, Bhagwat stated that LGBTQI individuals are part of the community and called for a law allowing same-sex companions to stay together. However, he maintained that marriage is an “ancient institution” designed for family and raising the next generation, rather than just a convenience for two people to live together.
2.Educational Reforms:Education is not a commercial business.
Addressing the recent uproar over the education system, the RSS Chief emphasized that education is a necessity of life and should be accessible to all, rather than being treated as a commercial enterprise.
3.Social Media and Self-Discipline:
Bhagwat urged the youth to exercise self-discipline regarding their consumption of social media and vulgar content, pointing out that such exposure contributes significantly to the frustration seen in today’s young people.
The RSS Chief’s outreach, however, has drawn sharp political reactions. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the timing of the engagement, taking to social media to ask why these leaders remained silent when young protesters were facing police action, tear gas, and detentions in Delhi.
Despite the political back-and-forth, IIMUN organizers emphasized the necessity of the interaction. “Leadership is not only about guiding the next generation, but also listening to it. At this critical juncture in India’s journey, we need this dialogue more than ever before,” said Rishabh Shah.
Published by True Roots Media Network