Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday expressed strong support for the concerns being raised by Generation Z over paper leaks and irregularities in examinations, saying their grievances are genuine and should not be dismissed as anti-national. Addressing a wide range of social and national issues, Bhagwat emphasized that India's education system requires significant reforms and urged greater dialogue between the government and young citizens.
His remarks come at a time when several parts of the country have witnessed protests by students demanding accountability over repeated paper leaks and alleged lapses in the examination system.
Speaking about the recent student protests, Bhagwat said the younger generation deserves to be heard rather than criticized. He rejected attempts to label protesting students as anti-national, describing Gen Z and Gen Alpha as the country's own future.
"I do not believe Gen Z is anti-national. They are our own people, our next generation," Bhagwat said. He added that, in his experience, the younger generation is more honest than the current one and responds positively to sincere appeals based on patriotism and public service.
According to Bhagwat, today's youth differ significantly from earlier generations because they seek logical explanations rather than unquestioningly accepting what elders say. He observed that while previous generations rarely challenged authority, Gen Z and Gen Alpha actively question decisions and expect reasoned answers.
He maintained that this tendency should be viewed positively, as it encourages healthy democratic engagement rather than confrontation.
Bhagwat also defended the democratic right to protest, saying public demonstrations are a legitimate method of building consensus when dialogue alone fails to resolve grievances.
He explained that democracy functions through discussion, debate and the exchange of ideas. If concerns remain unheard despite dialogue, peaceful agitation becomes a valid means of drawing attention to unresolved issues. However, he stressed that protests should aim at correcting systemic problems rather than creating divisions within society.
Referring specifically to the ongoing student movements, Bhagwat said their concerns are rooted in genuine shortcomings within India's education system. He noted that much-needed reforms have not been implemented, leading young people to raise their voices.
He urged authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with students instead of treating them as adversaries. Bhagwat said the objective of any protest should be "system correction" rather than opposition to individuals or institutions.
Drawing from Indian intellectual traditions, Bhagwat referred to the concept of "Shastrarth," describing it as a process where multiple viewpoints are examined to arrive at a more complete understanding of truth. He contrasted this with the English notion of debate, explaining that Indian traditions emphasize constructive dialogue through the presentation of differing perspectives.
Bhagwat also cited the Constitution and the speeches of B. R. Ambedkar, saying they provide guidance on how democratic disagreements should be resolved through constitutional methods.
On the issue of education, Bhagwat said learning should never become merely a commercial enterprise. He argued that education must be structured in a way that ensures accessibility for everyone and serves the broader interests of society rather than market forces.
Commenting on reports of police action during recent student protests, Bhagwat said he did not possess complete information regarding the circumstances surrounding the lathi-charge. Nevertheless, he stressed that the voices of young protesters should not be ignored.
"There were shortcomings in communication during the previous protests," he said, adding that the younger generation deserves trust rather than suspicion. Bhagwat reiterated that he has "blind faith" in Gen Z, describing them as among the most honest generations.
Beyond the education issue, Bhagwat also addressed several broader social questions.
On LGBTQIA+ rights, he said the community is an integral part of Indian society and has always had a place within its social fabric. While describing marriage as the foundation of the traditional family structure, Bhagwat said same-sex partners deserve respect and suggested that a separate legal framework could be considered to recognize their living arrangements. He called for an inclusive national discussion so that society can move forward together.
Responding to questions on reservation, Bhagwat said the policy was introduced to address historical social discrimination and would remain necessary as long as discrimination continues. He urged those who have already benefited from reservation and achieved social and economic progress to support extending opportunities to others who remain disadvantaged.
He also noted that demands for categorization within reservation are emerging from sections of beneficiary communities themselves and observed that the judiciary has also commented on the issue in recent years.
Bhagwat's remarks are likely to draw attention across political and academic circles, particularly as debates over education reforms, student protests, reservation policies and social inclusion continue to shape the national discourse. His comments underscore the need for democratic engagement, institutional reform and dialogue as the preferred means of addressing the aspirations and concerns of India's younger generations.
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