RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Defends Gen Z Protesters Amid NEET Controversy

Bhagwat framed the protests as a legitimate democratic tool, suggesting that when standard channels of communication fail, vocal dissent becomes an inevitable form of dialogue. He noted a generational shift, contrasting his own cohort—which historically deferred to elders—with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, whom he described as more honest and insistent on receiving logical answers. According to the RSS leader, the current agitation should be viewed not as a personal attack, but as a necessary push for systemic correction within the Indian education sector.

While acknowledging that a deficiency exists that allowed the current crisis to unfold, Bhagwat stopped short of condemning the government or providing a definitive stance on the use of force against demonstrators, such as lathi charges. He invoked the concept of 'shastrarth,' or intellectual debate, to describe the democratic process, arguing that diverse perspectives are essential to uncovering the truth. He urged that while protests are a valid method of engagement, they should be conducted in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and the principles outlined by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.