Mohan Bhagwat to Address Youth in Mumbai Amid Student Protests

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address Gen Z students from over 100 cities in Mumbai on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The interaction is part of the 15th-anniversary celebrations of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN). Approximately 2,000 high school students will attend the inaugural ceremony at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). The session, titled "The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way," aims to engage young leaders on national and international issues through dialogue.

This high-profile interaction comes at a sensitive time, following intense youth-led demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The protests focused on irregularities in national examinations and led to the high-profile resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister. Gen Z and Gen Alpha groups were primary participants in these movements, expressing frustration over institutional failures. Rishabh Shah, the founder of IIMUN, noted that such a dialogue between established leadership and the younger generation is more critical now than ever before to bridge the growing divide.

The upcoming event has drawn sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. He questioned the timing of the outreach, accusing leaders of remaining silent when students were facing police action and arrests during peaceful protests. Thackeray asked why those who now wish to "preach culture" to the youth were absent when students faced tear gas and manhandling by authorities. The exchange highlights the political tension surrounding the government and RSS efforts to re-engage with a demographic that has become increasingly vocal about governance and education reforms.