Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said Gen-Z protesters are not anti-national and possess genuine grievances [1].

The remarks signal a potential shift in how one of India's most influential right-wing organizations views youth dissent. By framing protests as legitimate expressions of concern rather than acts of betrayal, Bhagwat is advocating for a bridge between the traditionalist RSS and a generation often seen as ideologically opposed to its goals.

Speaking in Mumbai on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, Bhagwat said the young generation should be viewed as part of the national fabric [1]. He said that the act of protesting does not strip a citizen of their national identity [2].

"Gen Z has genuine grievances, protesting doesn't make them anti‑national," Bhagwat said [1].

He suggested that the current friction between the state and the youth could be mitigated through structural changes in how students are taught and how they are heard. Bhagwat said a combination of education reforms and an open channel of communication is needed to integrate the youth into the national vision [2].

"I'm saying, if Gen Z is protesting, they're not anti‑national. They're our own people. They're our next generation," Bhagwat said [3].

The RSS chief said that labels of anti-nationalism are counterproductive when dealing with the country's future leaders. He said the focus should instead be on creating an environment where young people feel they have a stake in the country's progress [1].

"What is needed is a sense of belonging along with dialogue," Bhagwat said [1].

“Gen Z has genuine grievances, protesting doesn't make them anti‑national.”

This stance represents a strategic pivot by the RSS to maintain relevance with a demographic that is increasingly skeptical of institutional authority. By validating the grievances of Gen-Z and calling for education reform, the organization is attempting to preempt alienating the next generation of the Indian workforce and electorate, moving away from a purely adversarial relationship with student activists.