Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 6 : Noting that protest is also a method to have consensus in a democracy, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that any agitation should be aimed at improving the system and that Gen Z and Gen Alpha is more honest than the existing generation and an honest appeal of patriotism and service works with them.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat said a lot needs to be done in India's education system and there is a need for a dialogue with those seeking a change.
Bhagwat interacted with students in a significant outreach after days of protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital against the NEET-UG leak that led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister. Students are also protesting in Jharkhand over the paper leak.
The RSS chief gave detailed answers to questions. Referring to the recent protests and the government's subsequent outreach, Bhagwat said due to various reasons, if a thing is not heard, agitation can be done.
"In democracy, protest is also a method to have consensus. Lot of views come together and a consensus is evolved after discussion, that discussion may happen through dialogue. Due to various reasons, if that thing is not heard, agitation can be done. But this is to be done to evolve the consensus, not to create divisions. As far as Gen Z is concerned, what happened recently - their grievance is genuine. A lot needs to be done in India's education system, and it is not being done; so, this is being raised. So, indeed there should be dialogue," he said.
The RSS chief said the young generation has an approach different from the older generation and seek logic.
"As far as my experience about Gen Z goes, when we were their age, we were habitual of accepting whatever the elders said, we never questioned them. Now, Gen Z and Gen Alpha questions, they want logical answers and love...In democracy, this is the method. They call it 'debate' in English, we call it 'shastrarth' - there is no debate there but there are two sides there: 'poorv' and 'uttar'. We look at all aspects and everyone has their own perspective, so a new dimension comes to light in every subject. So, we get so many opinions and counter-opinions, they together form total view of the truth. This should indeed happen," he said.
"I won't say that Gen Z should not protest, but there are methods to how and what is to be done in democracy. Those who drafted the Constitution, the speeches of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, have indications on the same. This should be looked at. We too should see that Gen Z is not raising its voice to oppose they are doing this because they have some issues and that should be rectified. Agitation should not be against me or you, but for system correction," he added.
He said if Gen Z is protesting, they are not anti-nationals. "They are our own people, our next generation...I do not believe Gen Z is like that...I think the new generation - the Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is more honest than our existing generation, and honest appeal of patriotism and service works with them," he said.
Asked about India's relations with Pakistan and China in terms of civilian ties in the times of conflict and otherwise, Bhagwat said that in the times of conflict, "we have to go with whatever our government does".
"But that should not sever the ties which are already there. China's people say that for 2000 years, Bharat gave them some values; and Pakistan was Bharat less than 100 years ago. This should not be forgotten; these ties cannot be severed, they can be put on hold till there is conflict. But what is the Bharat solution? The Bharatiya solution is not conquering or obliterating others, but to form that harmonious, assimilating process. That requires dialogue. So, conflicts may halt all these relations but they cannot sever, they should not," he said.
The RSS chief said that sometimes after resolution of a conflict "we have to pick up from where we have left it and we have to continue".
"So, permanent hatred and permanent enmity is not the solution. When there is some trouble, we have to look after it and there is a way to look after it. We have to be all for that way. But that is a temporary thing, it comes due to politics. It is not that Pakistanis are wholeheartedly the enemies of Indians, or Indians are like that. But states, politics, international borders are also there - that is also the fight of life. So, during conflict, we are with our government and our Military. But we know that sometimes, it has to cease and we have to be one. Because humanity is one," he said.
Asked about influence of social media on Gen Z and Gen Alpha and how it should be tackled, he said forming rules is alright but it succeeds when attitude changes.
"Otherwise, there are so many laws already. Laws are effective when society accepts it...One needs to think what they are on social media and people follow what they do. So, it becomes one's responsibility to see that followers do not end up in a bad place by following what ones does (on social media)," he said.
"Nowadays, the technology is such that fake videos can be generated and false statements can be attributed to you or me. So, while using social media, the content should not be trusted without verification from authentic source. We need to have self-imposed discipline about social media...Otherwise, if you ban something, it lands up in fraud market. This should not happen," he added.
The Union Cabinet last month approved the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill has since been passed by the both Houses of Parliament.