 Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 6: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday described protest as a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy, stressing that its purpose should be to build consensus rather than create divisions.
“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,” Bhagwat said while addressing nearly 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha participants at the 15th anniversary celebrations of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai.
Bhagwat acknowledged that when dialogue fails, agitation may follow, but insisted that the ultimate aim must remain consensus-building. “The Gen Z grievances are genuine and I believe in their honesty,” he added. His remarks are being seen as the RSS’ most significant outreach to younger generations since the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protests over the NEET paper leak led to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
The RSS chief said concerns over India’s education system were valid and urged dialogue as the first step in resolving them. “There should be dialogue. What should happen if dialogue does not work can be considered later,” he noted. Bhagwat also backed the demand to raise education spending to six per cent of GDP, saying, “Education is not a commercial business; it should be structured in such a way that it is available for all.”
Bhagwat cautioned against banning social media, arguing that restrictions only drive activity underground. Instead, he called for self-discipline and responsible use. “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,” he said.
He warned about the dangers of misinformation and deepfake technology, urging people to verify content before believing it. “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,” Bhagwat said.
Social media influencers, he added, carry a responsibility toward their followers. “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.”
Bhagwat observed that Gen Z seeks logical answers along with warmth and respect, unlike earlier generations who often accepted elders’ views unquestioningly. He emphasized that rules and regulations alone cannot succeed without a change in mindset. “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.
Bhagwat concluded by urging society to contribute to improving education and employment opportunities, highlighting entrepreneurship as an equally vital part of economic growth. |
