Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday questioned what it described as a growing contradiction between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the handling of recent youth protests, alleging that while the Centre has cracked down on student demonstrators, the RSS is attempting to project itself as a mediator through outreach initiatives.

In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's reported decision to hold an interaction with members of Generation Z in Mumbai to understand concerns expressed by young people following recent student protests at Jantar Mantar.