RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to Meet Gen Z: A Shift from ‘Dictation to Discussion’

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is stepping onto a new stage to connect with India's youth. On August 6, he will interact with over 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha students from more than 100 cities at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. The event is hosted by [India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN)], a youth-led public affairs platform celebrating its 15th anniversary. According to organizers, Bhagwat will speak on the theme, "The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way," signalling a major effort by the RSS to directly engage teenagers and young adults.

This massive youth outreach comes right after a wave of intense student anger across the country. Recently, young protesters-many part of a movement playfully dubbed the "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP)-held massive demonstrations in New Delhi over the NEET exam paper leaks. These youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar were so impactful that they ultimately forced Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. Seeing the power and frustration of the younger generation, the RSS seems to have realized that traditional ways of giving orders no longer work.

The RSS is now actively changing its approach to match the mindset of today's digital generation. Recently, Mohan Bhagwat made it clear that the era of unquestioned obedience is over. He stated that today's youth need discussion, not dictation, and that leaders must focus on building consensus and a sense of belonging instead of just giving orders. By taking questions and participating in open dialogues, the RSS hopes to understand the frustrations of young Indians, keep them connected to traditional cultural roots, and prevent their anger from turning into a total rejection of the system.

However, this sudden interest in talking to Gen Z has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray openly questioned the timing of this outreach. Thackeray asked where these leaders and "culture preachers" were when young students were facing police lathis, tear gas, and barricades during their protests. Despite the political pushback, IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah welcomed the upcoming dialogue, noting to that true leadership means listening to the next generation, especially at such a critical time in India's journey.