CM backs Mohan Bhagwat's 'Gen Z grievances genuine' remark

Jammu, Aug 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday supported Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark that "Gen Z grievances are genuine and protesting doesn't make them anti-national". Referring to Mohan Bhagwat's remark, CM Omar said it was encouraging that a distinction was made between opposing the government and acting against the country. "The good thing is that Mohan Bhagwatji has acknowledged this distinction. Opposing the government is not the same as opposing the country. In fact, opposing the government is often beneficial for the nation because it helps correct mistakes wherever they occur," he said. On Thursday while addressing a gathering of around 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha members at India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) 15th anniversary event in Mumbai, Bhagwat said, “If Gen Z members are agitating, they are not anti-national; they are our people. It is our next generation. You need a dialogue and rapport with them." The CM urged authorities to stop action against students who participated in the agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and said protesting against the government should not be equated with opposing the nation. He said the agitation helped ensure accountability, expressing hope that it would lead to improvements in the conduct of future examinations. Expressing concern over reports of action against the protesters, CM Omar said students were allegedly being manhandled, booked in criminal cases and harassed on social media. In some instances, police reportedly summoned their relatives. "I believe this entire course of action should stop," he said. Referring to the protests in Jharkhand, CM Omar said he hoped Chief Minister Hemant Soren would engage with the protesting students instead of ignoring their demands. "He should call them, hold talks with them, and if anything wrong has actually happened, take action against those responsible, just as we did here," he said. The CM urged the Jharkhand government to engage with the protesting students and address their grievances.