Mid-Day Opinion: Bhagwat’s message, BJP’s moment?

RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat (right) interacts with India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) founder Rishabh Shah during an IIMUN event, in Mumbai on Thursday. Pic/Ashish Raje

For years, the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS, have mostly appeared to speak in one voice on national issues. That is why RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent remarks on the Gen Z protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar have attracted attention. At a time when protesters are often labelled as politically motivated or even anti-national, Bhagwat chose a different approach. He said young people were protesting because they felt there was a problem in the system and there was no proper dialogue. Such protests, he suggested, should not automatically be seen as anti-national.

The bigger question is whether the RSS is signalling a different approach from the BJP or simply trying to rebuild the government's connect with young voters before 2029.

The BJP has often taken a tough stand on protests, arguing that many demonstrations were driven more by political interests than genuine public concerns.

Bhagwat's remarks sound different. Instead of questioning the intentions of the protesters, he focused on the reasons behind their anger. His message was simple. If young people are coming onto the streets, it means they believe something is not working. Instead of branding them, governments should listen to them.

Does this mean the RSS and BJP have developed differences? That may be reading too much into one statement.

The RSS has often presented itself as an organisation that looks at long-term social issues, while the BJP, being a political party, has to respond to immediate political challenges. Their styles are sometimes different, but their larger goals usually remain aligned.

Another explanation appears more practical. Both the RSS and the BJP understand that Gen Z is becoming a powerful pressure group. By 2029, Gen Z is expected to account for well over 30 per cent of India's voters, making it impossible for any party to ignore them.

They are highly connected through social media, quick to form opinions, and willing to question authority. They are more likely to judge governments on issues that directly affect their lives, such as jobs, education, inflation, technology, freedom of expression, and growth opportunities.

The BJP has enjoyed strong support among young voters in the past. Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully built an image of aspiration, development and national pride that appealed to millions of first-time voters. But every generation has different expectations. Today's young Indians are asking difficult questions about employment, the quality of education and the future they see for themselves. Simply asking them to trust the system may no longer be enough.
Bhagwat's remark may also be viewed as political damage control. Instead of allowing frustration among young people to grow, the RSS appears to be signalling that their concerns deserve attention. It sends a message that disagreement is not the same as disloyalty and that criticism of the system should not automatically be treated as criticism of the nation.

The electoral arithmetic also explains why such messaging matters. Unlike 2014 or 2019, the BJO no longer enjoys the same political dominance on its own. Every seat could matter in 2029. If young voters begin moving away from the BJP in large numbers, it could make the electoral battle much tougher, especially in closely contested states.

This does not mean the BJP has lost young voters. But politics is changing. Young voters are less predictable and less attached to traditional political identities. Winning their trust requires more than slogans. It requires listening, dialogue and visible solutions.

Whether Bhagwat's remarks reflect genuine introspection or political calculation is impossible to know. They may well be both. What matters is the principle behind them. Democracies grow stronger when governments listen before they label. If the BJP and the RSS translate that message into action, they could deepen their connect with India's youngest voters. If not, Bhagwat's words may be remembered as wise advice that was acknowledged but never truly acted upon.

Sanjeev Shivadekar is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @SanjeevShivadek

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The views expressed in this column are the individual's and don't represent those of the paper