RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that protest is a legitimate way of dialogue in a democracy and acknowledged that the concerns raised by the younger generation are genuine. His remark comes in the backdrop of the recent wave of student protests across India over issues including examination irregularities and education reformsAddressing a gathering of Gen Z and Gen Alpha at the International Model United Nations (IIMUN) event in Mumbai, Bhagwat said that democratic societies provide space for disagreement and discussion, but emphasised that protests should follow democratic processes.VIDEO | Mumbai: On being asked about protests and concerns that protesters may be labelled “anti-national”, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, while addressing Gen Z and Gen Alpha, says, “…I want to make it clear that if Gen Z engages in any agitation, they are not anti-national. They… pic.twitter.com/XWU9coSnTg— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 6, 2026On being asked about protests and concerns that protesters may be labelled “anti-national”, Bhagwat said, “I want to make it clear that if Gen Z engages in any agitation, they are not anti-national. They are our own people; they are our next generation. A sense of belonging and mutual respect is needed for dialogue to take place.”He added, “We need to recognise and respect each other. Only then can a meaningful dialogue happen, where we understand their concerns and they understand our perspective. This is how it should be. I do not believe that Gen Z or the younger generation is like that… I believe today’s younger generation, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is more honest than the existing generation. This generation should have honesty towards the nation, a spirit of patriotism, and a commitment to service.”Must Read | Mohan Bhagwat: Knowledge on Hindu gods should be part of school textbooks“In a democracy, protest is a way of reaching consensus,” Bhagwat said, adding that dialogue remains central to resolving differences.Referring to the recent student-led demonstrations in the country, Bhagwat said, “As far as Gen Z is concerned and what happened recently, their grievance is genuine.”Drawing a comparison between generations, the RSS chief said today’s youth approach issues differently from previous generations. “When my age was that of today’s Gen Z, our generation used to listen to what the elders said. Gen Z now asks questions; it wants logical answers,” he said.While acknowledging the changing mindset of young people, Bhagwat maintained that protests should be conducted within the framework of democracy. “I won’t say that Gen Z should not protest, but in a democracy there are ways of going about it,” he said.Story continues below this adBhagwat also said, “There are many aspects of education that need to be addressed. I would like to highlight a few points. The first is that education is not a commercial business; it is a necessity of life. Therefore, the education system should be structured in a way that makes it accessible and affordable for everyone. This requires a lot of thought and discussion, including issues related to fees and other aspects.”