RSS alleges conspiracy behind Gen Z protests, urges dialogue

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, alleged that 'anarchic forces' within and outside the country were trying to provoke young people and create unrest, suggesting a conspiracy could be behind the Gen Z protests. Speaking after the RSS's three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meeting in Indore, Hosabale said young people had legitimate concerns but their protests should not be misused for political self-interest, social division or violence. He cited the JP movement of the 1970s and said every generation develops anti-establishment feelings that need to be channelled positively.

Hosabale defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling it a necessary purification exercise to remove dead, duplicate and non-citizen voters. He said political parties should examine facts before protesting and that wrongly deleted voters can seek remedies through the Election Commission or courts. The Indian Express reports Hosabale said 'anarchic forces' were trying to provoke people from within and outside the country, while the New Indian Express quotes him as saying raising concerns does not make the youth anti-national. Hindustan Times adds that Hosabale reiterated that quotas should continue until social and educational inequalities are removed and should not be used for vote-bank politics.

Hosabale said the organisation has no intention of becoming an international body but engages overseas when invited. The meeting discussed youth discontent over unemployment and paper leaks, the SIR controversy and alleged external interference. The Deccan Herald reports that the Supreme Court is to hear a plea over the EC's Form 6 clarification on 19 November.

Update, 4 November 2026: The Deccan Herald reports that the Supreme Court will hear a plea over the Election Commission's Form 6 clarification on 19 November. It also quotes Hosabale questioning the Opposition's objections to the SIR exercise. The New Indian Express adds that Hosabale called on inactive citizens to integrate like-minded people to counter anarchic forces.