'Youth Not Ready to Listen to Mohan Bhagwat': Uddhav Thackeray Hits Out Over GenZ NEET Protests

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday targeted the Central government and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, asserting that the country’s younger generation is unwilling to listen to the RSS leadership following recent nationwide student protests.

Addressing the media in Mumbai, Thackeray rejected the RSS chief's recent outreach to GenZ students, claiming that young people are angry over the handling of student grievances, including the recent controversy over NEET examination paper leaks and police action against demonstrators in New Delhi.

"The young generation is not ready to listen to what Mohan Bhagwat says. We have seen how students reacted after listening to his dialogue," Thackeray said. "The youth of this country are furious, and no matter how much effort is made, they are not ready to listen." Mohan Bhagwat Says Gen Z and Gen Alpha More Honest Than Existing Generation; Here's Why.

Criticism of Police Action and Central Leadership

Thackeray launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the administration of using excessive force against peaceful student demonstrators. Comparing the alleged police lathi-charge and use of pellet guns against student protesters in Delhi to the "Jallianwala Bagh" tragedy, he demanded accountability from the central leadership.

"Instead of supporting this generation, they were subjected to extreme and ruthless oppression," Thackeray alleged. "Don't you have time to meet the youth who are protesting for their rights, while you find time to meet political defectors?"

Taking a further dig at the government’s digital outreach, Thackeray labeled the current administration an "Instagram government," alleging that top leaders prefer social media posts over direct, meaningful engagement with aggrieved students. RSS Chief Speaks for Country, Not One Party: CM Fadnavis Backs Mohan Bhagwat's Remarks on Gen Z.

'Youth Not Ready to Listen to Mohan Bhagwat'

VIDEO | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on GenZ, NEET protests, says, "Youth not ready to listen to what Mohan Bhagwat says."

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#Mumbai pic.twitter.com/LIXFLr3CPh

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 8, 2026

Bhagwat's GenZ Outreach

Thackeray’s comments come two days after RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat addressed over 2,000 high school and college students at the 15th Anniversary Championship Conference of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai.

During the interaction, Bhagwat stated that GenZ's grievances regarding educational lapses and exam leaks are genuine. He emphasized that student protests should not be labeled "anti-national," describing them as a legitimate mechanism for dialogue in a democracy and calling for empathy and system corrections.

The student agitation, spearheaded by youth groups following widespread irregularities in national competitive examinations like NEET, has led to intense political debate in recent weeks, placing student rights and educational reforms at the center of national politics.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2026 04:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).