Protest is a legitimate form of democratic dialogue, should build consensus: Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said protest was a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy and should serve to build consensus rather than deepen divisions, while describing the concerns of Gen Z as genuine.

Addressing around 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha participants at the 15th anniversary event of the India's International Movement to Unite Nations in Mumbai, Bhagwat said dialogue should always remain the preferred way to resolve differences.

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"Protest is also a way of dialogue. In a democracy, protest is a way of building consensus. Different views come together and a consensus evolves after discussion," he said.

"If, for various reasons, concerns are not heard through dialogue, people may turn to agitation. But the purpose of all this is to build consensus, not to create divisions. The Gen Z grievances are genuine and I believe in their honesty," he added.

Bhagwat's interaction is being viewed as the RSS' most significant outreach to Gen Z and Gen Alpha since the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protests over the NEET paper leak culminated in Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Referring to concerns over India's education system, Bhagwat said the issues being raised by young people were legitimate and stressed that dialogue should precede confrontation.

"There should be dialogue. What should happen if dialogue does not work can be considered later," he said.

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He said Gen Z differed from previous generations in seeking reasoned explanations rather than unquestioningly accepting the views of elders.

Bhagwat also cautioned against the misuse of social media and emerging technologies, arguing that regulation alone would not solve the problem without greater individual responsibility.

"Rules and discipline are necessary, but they succeed only when attitudes change. Many laws have been made. What matters is changing people's mindset," he said.

Warning about the rise of AI-generated misinformation, he said, "Today, technology can create fake videos using our faces and voices. Knowing this, people should never believe anything on social media without verifying it from authentic sources."

He also urged social media influencers to recognise the responsibility that comes with large audiences.

"If I am a social media icon and 10 lakh people follow me, it becomes my responsibility to ensure they do not end up in a problem by following me. That much wisdom is necessary," he said.

Calling for self-regulation rather than restrictions, Bhagwat said the older generation should help young people develop the discipline to use social media responsibly.

"We need self-imposed discipline in using social media. Once that discipline develops, regulations will work effectively," he said.

Responding to a question on whether India should ban social media access for children, as some countries have done, Bhagwat said prohibitions were unlikely to be effective.

"If you ban something, it simply moves to the black market and spreads even more. The entire society has to respond to this challenge together. Only then will the government's efforts succeed," he said.

On education, Bhagwat backed increasing public spending to 6% of GDP.

"Education is not a commercial business; it should be structured in such a way that it is available for all," he said, adding that society also had a role in strengthening the education system.

He also said employment should not be viewed only in terms of jobs, but should also include entrepreneurship.