By Ujjain, September 18: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Friday that he was encouraged to see members of Gen Z engaging with the idea of dharm, a subject often dismissed as something meant only for older generations. Speaking at the Yuva Dharm Sansad in Ujjain, Bhagwat said the younger generation should approach the concept with an open mind rather than through inherited assumptions.
Addressing around 1,700 young participants, Bhagwat described dharm as something deeply connected to a person’s conduct and way of life. He said dharm is not limited to religious identity but represents a broader principle that guides human behaviour and actions.
Bhagwat drew a distinction between religion and dharm, saying the two should not be treated as identical. In his explanation, religion can create a sense of social or community identity, while dharm has a more liberating purpose and ultimately points towards moksha, or spiritual liberation.
The RSS chief also asked the young audience to move beyond preconceived ideas if they genuinely wanted to understand dharm. He stressed that approaching the subject with existing biases could prevent people from understanding its wider meaning and relevance.
Linking the discussion to environmental concerns, Bhagwat said adharm, or unrighteous conduct, can have consequences that extend beyond individual behaviour. He cited deforestation as an example and warned that such actions could ultimately threaten human existence.
The Yuva Dharm Sansad has brought together a wider group of experts and representatives for discussions around dharm. Organisers said around 300 scholars, teachers, researchers and religious leaders are taking part in the event.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is scheduled to attend the concluding session of the two-day gathering on September 19.
The Ujjain event is the sixth edition of the Yuva Dharma Sansad. Previous editions were held in Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar and Kanchipuram, according to organisers. The next edition is scheduled to be held in Dwarka.
Bhagwat’s remarks at the gathering placed the participation of young people at the centre of the discussion, highlighting the organisers’ effort to bring questions surrounding dharm, ethics and Indian philosophical traditions into conversations with a younger audience.
