Bhagwat had earlier declined to describe the student protesters as "anti-national" amid questions over allegations regarding the funding of the agitation.

Priyanka's sharp response

When asked by reporters outside Parliament to comment on Bhagwat's statement, Priyanka dismissed the need for any endorsement from the RSS chief.

"They don't need a certificate from Mohan Bhagwat ji," she said while entering Parliament.

Bhagwat's remarks

Mohan Bhagwat had refused to label the Gen Z protesters "anti-national" despite being asked about allegations surrounding the funding of the NEET paper-leak protests.

His remarks came amid a continuing political debate over the student-led agitation, which has drawn support from opposition parties and triggered sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition.

Bhagwat on Thursday strongly defended India's younger generation, saying Gen Z protesters should not be branded as anti-national and that their concerns must be addressed through dialogue.

Speaking at the Mumbai Conference titled 'The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way', Bhagwat described Gen Z as "apne log" (our own people) and expressed confidence in the country's youth.

"If Gen Z is agitating, they certainly aren't anti-nationals; they are our own people, our next generation. With this sense of belonging, along with dialogue, their concerns should be understood," Bhagwat, who heads the ideological parent of the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said.