Former Army Chief General MM Naravane has called for greater understanding of Gen Z, saying younger people may view the world differently but that their perspectives should not automatically be considered wrong.
Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday spoke about the changing mindset of the younger generation and the need for older generations to understand what drives them.
Naravane, whose unpublished memoir recently triggered a political debate in the Lok Sabha, said that changing lifestyles and attitudes are a natural part of social evolution.
“The new generation has its own way of looking at things, but that doesn’t make them wrong,” Naravane said, stressing that differences in perspective should not become a reason to dismiss young people.
‘Things have evolved’: Naravane on changing attitudes
Explaining how social attitudes have changed over the years, Naravane said, “That is no longer the philosophy now. Now you change cars every five years, does that mean you are a bad person? No, but that is the way, you know, things have evolved.”
He went on to explain that Gen Z may not always approach issues in the same way as previous generations, but that does not necessarily mean their thinking is flawed.
“Similarly the new generation also has their own way of looking at various things, which may not always be in line with your thinking, but that doesn’t make them wrong. So you have to understand what makes them tick and harness those energies,” he added.
‘Understand what makes them tick’
Naravane also spoke about the responsibility of elders when dealing with younger people. Rather than simply criticising youngsters for holding different opinions, he argued that parents and older generations should try to understand their motivations.
“Understand what makes them tick and harness that energy,” Naravane said.
He further emphasised that young people should not immediately be judged or scolded when their views differ from those of their elders.
“Gen Z does not want harm to befall the country and believes its actions are aimed at its betterment. So let’s understand them rather than just scolding them. It is very easy to scold someone. They are our own children, and if there is something wrong in a child’s thinking, it is our responsibility to help remove it. Otherwise, what are we elders for?” he said.
Naravane’s comments come amid Gen Z debate
The former Army chief’s remarks come amid a wider public discussion about Gen Z following a viral incident at the Minimarg checkpoint in Kargil, Ladakh, involving a woman and security personnel.
The incident triggered reactions from several former military officials, with former Army chief and former Mizoram Governor VK Singh also commenting on the controversy.
Naravane’s intervention adds another dimension to the debate, focusing not only on the incident but also on the broader generational divide and how younger Indians perceive authority, society and institutions.
Why Gen Z thinks differently
Gen Z has grown up with smartphones, social media, instant communication and unprecedented access to information. As a result, their approach to work, authority, social issues and personal choices can differ considerably from that of older generations.
Naravane’s comments suggest that such differences should not automatically be viewed as signs of indiscipline or disrespect. Instead, he believes the focus should be on understanding the reasons behind younger people’s behaviour and guiding them when necessary.
