NEW DELHI — Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Tuesday sharply questioned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) upcoming youth outreach program. He asserted that the ideological parent of the ruling establishment must first cease issuing "rape and death threats" to teenagers before attempting to connect with the younger generation.
The comments follow reports indicating that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address over 2,000 students aged 15 to 19 from across 100 cities at a major gathering at Mumbai's Nita Mukesh Ambani Centre on August 6.
While acknowledging that the scale of the proposed event appeared "impressive," Bhattacharya raised fundamental concerns regarding its true intent.
"RSS is reportedly quite desperate to reach out to Gen Z," Bhattacharya stated. "Mohan Bhagwat is all set to address 2,000 students aged 15 to 19 brought from 100 cities. The numbers are impressive, but what will the outreach be about?"
Allegations of Hostility Toward Youth
Highlighting recent political friction between the ruling establishment and young demonstrators, the CPI(ML) leader alleged that political leaders associated with the ruling party have consistently used derogatory language against youth-led movements.
Bhattacharya pointed to public statements by senior leaders, accusing the administration of promoting patriarchal prejudices. He noted that online and offline backlash has forced several 15-year-old student protesters to release apology videos under duress.
He further cited previous comments made by BJP leaders, including Ramesh Bidhuri referring to Jantar Mantar protesters as "puncture menders", Kangana Ranaut labeling Gen Z as "Generation Gutter", and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan branding student activists as "terrorists".
Call to Lower Voting Age to 16
Demanding genuine accountability rather than symbolic interactions, Bhattacharya urged the RSS leadership to address the hostility faced by young citizens.
"If the RSS really wants to listen to India's Gen Z, let them first ask the Sangh Parivar to stop issuing rape and death threats to 15-year-olds," Bhattacharya emphasized.
He also advocated for expanding democratic rights for Indian youth, proposing that the national voting age be lowered. "Let them instead lower the voting age to 16. In today's digital era of information revolution, 16-year-olds are informed enough to make their political choices," he added.
