Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said protests are an inevitable part of democracy but stressed that public movements should aim to resolve grievances rather than deepen social divisions.
Addressing the RSS’s annual Vijayadashami event in Nagpur on Tuesday, Bhagwat said protesters, political leaders and the government must ensure that their actions do not fuel hostility, hatred or bitterness within society.
His remarks come amid demonstrations over the NEET-UG paper leak and protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the electoral roll revision exercise.
“Problems will remain. There will be agitations because of these problems, and in a democracy, agitations are inevitable. But what should agitations be for? They should be for solutions,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat Calls for Limits on Protest and Public Conduct
The RSS chief said that while people have the right to raise grievances, their actions must remain within the boundaries of the Constitution, the law and accepted standards of public behaviour.
He said responsibility for maintaining social harmony rested with all stakeholders, including organisations leading protests, government authorities, the administration and political leaders.
Bhagwat emphasised that the intensity of public emotions should not become an excuse for actions that undermine peace or create divisions.
He also expressed concern about what he described as external forces seeking to weaken India by exploiting internal differences. Referring to political instability and regime-change efforts in other countries, he warned that social discord could be used to undermine national cohesion.
Political Gains Should Not Override Social Harmony
Bhagwat cautioned against allowing electoral calculations, the pursuit of popularity or political interests to influence responses to public grievances.
He said protests should not become tools for targeting individuals, communities or ideological groups, adding that movements driven by objectives other than resolving problems could encourage hostility.
The RSS chief urged both protesters and those responsible for maintaining law and order to act with restraint and ensure that their decisions did not create hatred or bitterness within society.
He said the focus should remain on addressing the underlying issues rather than escalating confrontations for political advantage.
Dialogue and Community Participation Can Deliver Solutions
Bhagwat argued that protests alone could not resolve every social problem and highlighted the importance of dialogue, cooperation and collective responsibility.
“Problems are not solved through agitation alone. Solutions emerge through the efforts of society and through dialogue within society,” he said.
As an example, he referred to initiatives undertaken by RSS volunteers to improve schools through community participation. According to Bhagwat, efforts across 1,296 schools in 210 districts spanning 21 states had produced encouraging results.
He said improvements were observed in student attendance, learning outcomes and parental participation where villagers and volunteers worked together.
Bhagwat maintained that citizens and communities also had a responsibility to contribute to solving social problems rather than depending entirely on political leaders or government institutions.
A Call for Responsible Dissent
Bhagwat’s message was not a rejection of protests but an appeal to keep public movements focused on their stated objectives. He acknowledged that grievances and demonstrations would continue in a democracy, while stressing that dissent should lead to constructive outcomes.
His remarks placed responsibility on protesters, political leaders and the administration to balance the expression of public grievances with respect for the law and social harmony.
The broader message of his address was that dialogue, cooperation and a focus on solutions should take precedence over hostility and division when addressing disagreements within society.