'They don’t need a certificate': Priyanka hits back at Bhagwat’s Gen Z outreach

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks on Gen Z and Gen Alpha, saying young Indians do not need his “certificate” or endorsement.Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, the Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP said, “They don't need a certificate from RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat ji.”Priyanka also said home minister Amit Shah appeared to be 'afraid' and questioned his absence from Parliament. Referring to alleged police excesses against students protesting over the July 20 paper leak issue, she said Shah should "come, give a statement, what is the issue with that. Something wrong happened, so take responsibility." Her remarks came a day after Bhagwat interacted with members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha during a session at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. The outreach has drawn criticism from Opposition leaders, who have questioned the RSS' engagement with younger generations.Priyanka Gandhi's remarks followed a wider political response to Bhagwat's interaction. Karnataka minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge also criticised the RSS and BJP, alleging that changes in their language did not represent a change in their ideology.Kharge said the RSS and BJP were “desperately updating their vocabulary” but alleged that they continued to divide people, misguide young people and “dress up hatred in new packaging”. In a post on X, Kharge wrote, “RSS & BJP are desperately updating their vocabulary, but unfortunately, it won't update their ideology. The truth remains the same, dividing people, misguiding youth and dressing up hatred in new packaging. Same Sangh, just different slang.”However, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah backed Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks, saying Gen Z protests were about rights and entitlements, not against the country. He said opposing a government is distinct from opposing the nation and can help correct mistakes, urging authorities to halt action against the protesting youth."Not a single thing they said was against the country. It was certainly against the country's government, and the good thing is that Mohan Bhagwat has acknowledged this distinction," Abdullah told ANI. Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav also criticised the BJP over Bhagwat's interaction with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Yadav alleged that the ruling party turns to the RSS when it faces political pressure.Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, “As the BJP government is feeling challenged by Gen Z, should they send Mohan Bhagwat to handle the situation. Whenever they find themselves completely cornered, they turn to him, asking them to find a solution or speak on their behalf...”The Opposition's response comes as political parties increasingly seek to engage with younger voters and address concerns raised by Gen Z. Bhagwat's interaction with young participants has therefore become a point of political debate, with Congress and SP leaders using the outreach to question the RSS' approach to India's youth. Subhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.