Politics over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent comments about India’s Gen Z has turned into a huge debate, with Congress accusing the ruling establishment of trying to “damage control” rather than addressing the concerns of young protesters.
In Delhi, Congress Rajya Sabha member Pramod Tiwari was quick to respond to Bhagwat’s remarks and questioned the government’s resolve to address the issues raised by the youth.
The RSS’s acknowledgment of the concerns raised by protesters, he said, raises a crucial question why has the government not taken any action on the demands of the masses
Tiwari said that RSS and BJP are now trying to soften public perception after being criticized for their handling of youth-related issues. He felt that acknowledging the concerns of Generation Z is not sufficient if it does not take action.
"If the RSS says the protesters' demands are justified, why are those demands not being accepted?" Tiwari also wondered why Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not apologized in Parliament over the developments that led to widespread protests.
The Congress leader also raised issues of budgetary allocations, saying the government has failed to allocate six percent of the total budget for education. The need for education funding is critical for the development of young Indians and ensuring better employment opportunities, he said.
The debate erupted after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said in a speech that the aspirations and voices of India's younger generation deserve greater attention.
He was interpreted by many political analysts as a recognition that Gen Z would rather see more transparency and investment in the policy-making process from the institutions and politicians.
#WATCH | Delhi: On RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark on Gen Z, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "... They are trying to do damage control now. If the RSS says the protesters' demands are justified, why are those demands not being accepted? Why don't Amit Shah and the Prime Minister… pic.twitter.com/C6u6yFFQ8M
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2026
While the BJP has not officially replied to Tiwari’s latest criticism, the Congress has continued to press the government on issues affecting students and young citizens regarding education funding, employment opportunities, and policy reforms.
They share a similar perspective on the importance of Gen Z voters as they become ever more mainstream in Indian politics.
Political parties across the political spectrum have tried to engage younger people in discussions on education, jobs, digital opportunities, and governance.
Bhagwat’s remarks have thus opened up political debates on how governments and institutions should respond to the aspirations of young Indians. But opposition parties say symbolic statements alone are not enough and that concrete policy decisions are needed to address long-standing concerns.
The debate will continue, and the focus will remain on whether the government responds to the demands of the opposition and whether the debate will result in any policy measures that will benefit India’s youth.
