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'We need to look into where the problem lies': Mohan Bhagwat on crackdown on protesters
Bhagwat said the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of pellet guns during the NEET paper leak protest at Jantar Mantar should be examined.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday expressed strong faith in the younger generation, describing Gen Z and Gen Alpha as "honest generations". He also said that he does not have complete information about the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of pellet guns during the NEET paper leak protest at Jantar Mantar.
Responding to a question on the lathi charge and the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters, Bhagwat said, “What happened and why it happened, I do not have complete information, so I cannot comment on it. I do not know how much of the news is correct. However, if I am asked to place my faith in someone, I would place my faith in Gen Z.”
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The NEET paper leak protests took place last month in Delhi, which led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Pellet guns were allegedly used on protesters during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” protest.
“We would listen to our elders”
Bhagwat also said that when his generation was the same age as Gen Z is today, people would simply listen to their elders.
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“When we were the age of Gen Z, we would listen to our elders. We never used to question. Now Gen Z wants logical answers,” he said, adding that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are “honest generations.”
“I do not see myself as a leader”
Bhagwat outlined what he believes are the defining qualities of good leadership, citing a Sanskrit verse to explain that a leader should be knowledgeable, recognise and value the strengths of others, share credit, recognition and resources, and display courage in times of conflict.
"Real leaders are those who lead from behind. They work from within," he said.
Stressing his own role, Bhagwat mentioned, “I do not see myself as a leader. I see myself as a worker.”
The inaugural ceremony of IIMUN's Annual Championship Conference took place at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC).
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are demographic groups classified according to birth years — those born between 1997 and 2012 fall under the Gen Z category, while those born from 2013 to 2025 are considered Gen Alpha. Gen Z forms a major part of the recent student protests.
