Now Reading: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat tries to connect with Gen Z amidst student unrest
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RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat tries to connect with Gen Z amidst student unrest
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat tries to connect with Gen Z amidst student unrest
A show called 'INSIDE Gen Z Factor' on Times Now highlighted RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's attempt to engage with young Indians amidst protests in Ranchi over paper leaks and the BJP's loss…
The Story in Brief
A show called 'INSIDE Gen Z Factor' on Times Now highlighted RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's attempt to engage with young Indians amidst protests in Ranchi over paper leaks and the BJP's loss in the Bankipur bypoll. The Federal's analysis, however, views the interaction as a calculated political calibration rather than a genuine ideological shift, noting Bhagwat used Gen Z slang like 'clock it' and addressed LGBTQ+ issues.
According to The Federal, Bhagwat's Q&A session with IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah was a tactical effort to soften the RSS's rigid image and prevent youth discontent from turning into anti-establishment mobilisation. The report argues that despite acknowledging LGBTQ+ identities as a 'natural' part of society, Bhagwat stopped short of endorsing same-sex marriage and remained within a 'Lakshman Rekha' of Hindutva ideology, while RSS affiliates like the ABVP continue to crack down on campus dissent.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's Q&A session with Gen Z signals a genuine ideological shift is overblown. Skeptics rightly point to the carefully selected audience and the lack of policy change on core issues like same-sex marriage. This looks more like a tactical rebranding exercise to soften the RSS's image, not a change in its patriarchal and majoritarian doctrine. The real test will be if the Sangh allows genuine dissent within its ranks or continues to label student protests as anti-national, as it has done with the ABVP.
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, thefederal.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
