Mohan Bhagwat says Gen Z’s concerns genuine, calls for education reforms

Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh () chief on Thursday said that peaceful protest is a legitimate form of dialogue and that is a part of democracy; it is also a method to build consensus. He added that protests must be done to create consensus and not to cause division in the country.

Addressing Gen Z and Gen Alpha, during an event in Mumbai, the RSS chief observed that while the concerns over Gen z in recent protests over paper leaks was genuine, a much is required to be set right in India’s education system.

Peaceful protest crucial to democracy: Mohan Bhagwat

“A peaceful protest is also a form of dialogue. We are sitting here talking—that is one way; otherwise, we might be debating. If you or I are facing a difficulty and I cannot resolve it on my own, I will raise my voice; I will draw your attention to it and say that this is urgent, please address it. In a democracy, a peaceful protest is also a method of building consensus. Many viewpoints come together, and a consensus emerges after discussion,” Bhagwat said.

He added, “If demands go unheard for various reasons, one can opt for discussion. However, a peaceful movement should be launched to build consensus, not to create divisions. Take Gen Z, for instance; their concerns are genuine. There is still much to be set right in India’s education system. Dialogue must take place. What to do if dialogue fails is a matter for a later stage.”

‘Education must be imparted to one and all’

Pointing out that education must be imparted in such a way that it reaches one and all, Bhagwat observed, “Education is not a commercial business, it is a necessity of life. It should be structured in a way that ensures everyone has access to it. Moreover, education is a collective responsibility. We must ask ourselves what we can do in our own spheres. For instance, in some places, villagers themselves have improved their local schools. They pooled resources to create better facilities and reached out to people in nearby towns to help—such as by installing computers in the schools. We need to remain active to ensure our children receive a good education. Education should be imparted for the sake of the next generation; it should not be for commercial purposes”.