Younger generations in India are more patriotic and honest than older ones, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said Thursday, emphasizing the need for older leaders to listen to youth grievances rather than merely imposing authority.

Speaking at an event at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai hosted by India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) for its 15th anniversary, Bhagwat addressed over 2,000 high school and college students.

Bhagwat noted that recent youth-led demonstrations at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar—triggered by widespread concerns over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leaks—stemmed from a failure to engage in open dialogue with younger citizens. He urged leaders to establish constructive communication instead of attempting to rule through top-down orders.

The RSS chief's comments come after 36 days of student protests that prompted former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down following government discussions with student representatives.

RSS is the ideological arm of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in India and is a powerful organisations. 

The statement by RSS Chief is considered very important as the recently ended Gen Z protest had raised questions over handling of the youth protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi where the protesting students were beaten up by the police.

India's education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign due to the protest.