Listen to Youth and Pacify Them: SC

August 8, 2026

The country’s apex court made these clear observations while considering a petition filed against the student protest at Jantar Mantar. Subsequently, on Thursday, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also advocated engaging in dialogue with Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha.

Abhijit Deepke, founder of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP), also issued a statement clarifying that his party’s goal is not political; rather, the CJP aims to raise its voice to address the serious problems faced by the younger generation.

The Supreme Court bench that advocated listening to and understanding the youth—and dismissed the petition seeking action against the student protest organisers—comprised Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan.

The bench stated that one should listen to the youth and understand the reasons behind their anger. The better approach is to advise, reason with, and pacify them.

The bench further clarified that even if some misguided youths resort to stone-pelting, the situation could worsen if the administration adopts an aggressive stance. Even if untoward incidents occur during democratic protests, law enforcement agencies must exercise restraint to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.

Great caution is required when dealing with such matters involving the youth.

In this context, it is worth noting that the Jharkhand government, taking cognisance of the student protest against irregularities in recruitment exams—which has been ongoing for two weeks—has taken steps to initiate a dialogue with the students. Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, had expressed his support for this movement.

Regardless of which side committed excesses during the Parliament march on July 20, the core grievance remains: why did the police use spiked lathis, pellet guns, water cannons, and electric batons against their own children?

That was certainly not a lenient approach.

Even though the Prime Minister has forgiven those who made absurd or inflammatory remarks during the protests, the students still complain of being trolled and threatened. Consequently, they are talking about gathering at Jantar Mantar once again to launch the next phase of their agitation.

It must be acknowledged that these young people belong to our country, and we should look to them with hope for nation-building.

Instead of branding them as terrorists or accusing them of receiving foreign funding or attempting to use petrol bombs, it would be far better to listen to their grievances and explain our perspective to them.

The Supreme Court has echoed this sentiment, as has RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. It is worth recalling that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation came only after Mohan Bhagwat spoke of the need to establish a dialogue.

However, the grand welcome accorded to Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament the day after his resignation reignited bitterness, preventing the students from softening their stance.

The call to create a new atmosphere is highly pertinent; establishing a dialogue is far more effective than merely delivering speeches.

Student leaders Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka had presented their views with great dignity during their interaction with Union Minister J.P. Nadda, and the agitation was called off after just two meetings.

We must understand that issues like paper leaks and cheating are systemic problems that can occur anywhere in the country. Controlling this requires a collective policy approach, alongside visible action through fast-track courts and new penal provisions.