Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to interact with Gen Z students from more than 100 cities across the country on Thursday (August 6), just days after nationwide student protests culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The interaction will take place in Mumbai during the inaugural ceremony of the 15th anniversary celebrations of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN)’s Annual Championship Conference, according to an official release.
More than 2,000 high school students are expected to attend the event at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. The participants, aged between 15 and 19 years, will hear Bhagwat speak on the theme, “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way.”
The event assumes significance as Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – formed a major section of the recent student-led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which triggered widespread political debate and ultimately led to Pradhan stepping down as education minister.
‘Why didn’t you step in then?’
The planned interaction has also drawn political attention, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioning the timing of renewed engagement with young people.
In a social media post, Thackeray criticised what he described as attempts by leaders to interact with or preach to Gen Z and Gen Alpha after remaining silent during the protests. He asked where these leaders were when student protesters allegedly faced police action, including detentions, use of tear gas, barricades, and force.
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“Suddenly everyone who wants to interact with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and some who have taken it on themselves to preach “culture” to them via social media, the simple question to all of them is… Where were you when they were facing AK-47s, lathis with rusted nails, electric shock guns and electric barricades, tear gas, and when women were manhandled in the name of “law and order”? Where were you when they were detained at home while leaving for peaceful protests, or when they were arrested? Why didn’t you step in then?” questioned Aaditya Thackeray in his post.
Conference to focus on civic engagement
According to IIMUN, Bhagwat’s address will formally open its flagship Annual Championship Conference, one of the country’s largest youth-led public affairs gatherings.
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The conference will feature students representing schools and colleges from across India, who will deliberate on local, national, and international issues through debates and discussions aimed at promoting civic engagement and leadership.
IIMUN founder stresses need for dialogue
IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah welcomed Bhagwat’s participation, saying meaningful leadership requires engaging with the next generation.
“Leadership is not only about guiding the next generation, but also listening to it. At this critical juncture in India’s journey, we need this dialogue more than ever before,” Shah said, thanking the RSS chief for accepting the invitation.
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Founded in 2011, IIMUN says it organises 108 conferences and thousands of civic engagement initiatives annually, largely managed by volunteers aged 15 to 24 for students between 11 and 19 years.
The organisation states that many of its former participants have gone on to become elected representatives, civil servants, lawyers, entrepreneurs, authors, and actors. Its advisory board includes former Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor, industrialists Ajay Piramal and Nadir Godrej, and Olympian and Rajya Sabha MP PT Usha, among other prominent personalities.