CPI(M-L) Leader Critiques RSS's Engagement with Youth Amidst Controversy

In a recent statement, Deepankar Bhattacharya, the General Secretary of CPI(M-L), criticized the RSS's plan to engage with youth, suggesting they should first stop issuing threats to adolescents. He raised questions about the true purpose of the outreach event scheduled for August 6, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address students. Bhattacharya highlighted the hostile treatment of young protesters by the ruling party and called for a reduction in the voting age to 16, emphasizing the political awareness of today's youth. His remarks reflect broader concerns about the political climate and the treatment of young activists in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 10:03 IST

CPI(M-L) General Secretary Questions RSS's Youth Outreach

New Delhi, August 4 - Deepankar Bhattacharya, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, raised concerns on Tuesday regarding the RSS's initiative to engage with young people. He suggested that before attempting to connect with the youth, the 'Sangh Parivar' should cease issuing threats of 'rape and murder' to adolescents.

Bhattacharya's remarks came in response to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's upcoming address to around 2,000 students aged 15 to 19 from 100 cities at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Centre in Mumbai on August 6. He acknowledged the scale of the event as 'impressive' but questioned its true intent.

He stated, 'It is being said that the RSS is eager to reach out to Generation Z. While the number of students is indeed impressive, what will be the purpose of this dialogue?' He accused the ruling establishment of adopting a hostile attitude towards young protesters, referencing Prime Minister Modi's previous comments about a 'cultural shock' that relied on patriarchal biases regarding the country's wayward daughters.

Bhattacharya highlighted that due to orchestrated online and offline reactions, even 15-year-olds are being compelled to release apology videos. He pointed out that BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri labeled protesters as 'puncture makers,' while BJP MP Kangana Ranaut referred to Generation Z as 'Generation Gutter.' Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the demonstrators terrorists, and RSS Joint General Secretary Atul Limaye deemed these protests 'anti-constitutional' and 'anti-national.' He emphasized, 'If the RSS genuinely wants to listen to India's Generation Z, it should first instruct its members to stop threatening 15-year-olds with rape and murder.'

He further suggested that the voting age should be lowered to 16, arguing that in today's digital age and information revolution, 16-year-olds are sufficiently aware to make informed political choices.