Aaditya Thackeray (L) questioned the timing of Mohan Bhagwat’s (R) planned interaction with young people

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday questioned the timing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s planned interaction with Gen Z.Thackeray, in a post on X, indirectly asked where those now seeking to engage with young people were when student protesters faced police action.Bhagwat is scheduled to interact with Gen Z in Mumbai on August 6 at an event organised by the International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN), according to the organisation.Reacting to the announcement, Thackeray raised questions over the response of those seeking to engage with Gen Z and Gen Alpha following the recent student protests.“Suddenly everyone who wants to interact with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and some who have taken it on themselves to preach ‘culture’ to them via social media, the simple question to all of them is… Where were you when they were facing AK-47s, lathis with rusted nails, electric shock guns and electric barricades, tear gas, and when women were manhandled in the name of ‘law and order’?” Thackeray posted on X.

‘Why didn’t you step in then?’

The former Maharashtra minister also questioned why such voices did not intervene when protesters were allegedly detained and arrested.“Where were you when they were detained at home while leaving for peaceful protests, or when they were arrested? Why didn’t you step in then?” he said.Thackeray’s remarks came after IIMUN announced that RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat would address a gathering of young people in Mumbai on August 6.According to the organisation, around 2,000 students aged 15 to 19 from more than 100 cities are expected to attend the gathering at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.The event will coincide with the 15th anniversary ofIIMUN and the inaugural ceremony of its Annual Championship Conference.

Bhagwat to address youth gathering

IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah said the organisation had invited Bhagwat to speak to the students as part of its effort to encourage dialogue on democracy, leadership and nation-building.“Leadership is not only about guiding the next generation, but also listening to it,” Shah said, according to the press release.Bhagwat’s address will mark the beginning of the organisation’s annual conference, where students will debate and deliberate on local, national and international issues.The conference will bring together students from schools and colleges across India, with this year’s theme being “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way.”Thackeray, meanwhile, framed Bhagwat’s proposed interaction against the backdrop of the treatment of young protesters, asking those now seeking to speak to Gen Z to account for their response when the demonstrations were underway.