Pune, October 22, 2026: Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd) has urged restraint, listening and constructive engagement in the middle of a political row involving youth protests and “regime change” remarks. Speaking to ANI in Pune on Thursday, he said a different way of thinking should not be taken as proof that the younger generation is wrong.
What Gen Naravane said
“The younger generation has a different way of thinking. However, having a different way of thinking does not mean they are wrong,” Gen Naravane said. He added that the response to youth concerns should begin with understanding rather than rejection: “We should try to understand them. Once we understand them, understand their problems and difficulties—if we listen to them and understand them—only then can we resolve and fix the confusion and issues they face. Therefore, engaging in dialogue with each other and listening to one another is very essential.”
Background to the controversy
His comments came as protests linked to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar continued to draw political attention. The demonstrations involve groups such as the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and elements of the INDIA bloc. The protests are centred on allegations of irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including claims of large-scale voter deletions. Protesters have demanded Kumar’s resignation and free and fair elections, and multiple detentions have been reported at sites such as Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The “regime change” phrase gained traction after senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, at a press conference on October 15 with AISA president Neha Bora and others, said: “There will definitely be a regime change. We all want a regime change. Is there anything wrong with that?” He described the agitation as a fight for regime change and said it was a democratic right of citizens, while also referring to past BJP protests and Supreme Court observations on sedition.
Separate criticism followed remarks from AISA president Neha Bora in a video message to Bangladesh’s Socialist Students Front. She said the Gen Z movement in India “first started in Bangladesh” and congratulated them for “showing us the way,” while offering a “red salute.” Her comments referred to the 2024 student-led protests in Bangladesh that led to the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Political reactions
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress and its allies of using youth-led protests in Delhi to spread “anarchy” and seek a Bangladesh-style change of government. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also alleged attempts to foment violent street protests similar to those seen in Bangladesh and Paris. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that “regime change has neither happened nor will it happen.”
Congress leaders rejected that framing. MP Shashi Tharoor said, “India is not Bangladesh and India is not France… We only believe in peaceful protest… What we are calling for is free and fair elections… It’s a constitutional issue. It’s not an issue of trying to topple a regime or anything like that.” Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera described the narrative as a “dangerous trope” intended to discredit legitimate concerns over electoral integrity.
Gen Naravane’s broader position
Gen Naravane, who served as Army Chief from 2019 to 2022, has previously spoken about generational differences, including in August 2026, and has advocated keeping the armed forces insulated from political narratives. In his latest remarks, the focus remained on dialogue and understanding as a way to address youth grievances rather than dismissing them outright.
The episode has added to the wider debate over youth activism, electoral processes and institutional neutrality in India’s democratic discourse.
