Congress MP Manish Tewari has said that a defining characteristic of the newer generation specially Gen Z is refusing to accept entitlement. He point to recent youth-led protest across South Asia as evidences of this shift. According to Tewari, the toppled leader in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and more recently protest in the Philippines reflects a growing rejection of dynastic or entitlement-based politic.

The BJP however interpret Tewari’s comment as a veiled criticism of Rahul Gandhi, labelling him the “ultimate nepo kid.” Party leader, including Amit Malviya, claim that Tewari’s statements was part of internal dissents in Congress linking it with the G23 group of senior Congress leader calling for reform.

Tewari defend his framing by argue that what unfolding is not just protest but have serious national security implication. He urge that understanding why young peoples are protesting is more important then reducing everything to partisan attack. In his view, generational change is showing through demand not just for good governance but for accountability and transparencies.

He reference instances: in Sri Lanka, the fall of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; in Bangladesh, protest over job-quota that broaden into anti-establishment angers; Nepal youth protests against corruptions, unemployment, and “nepo kids” (i.e. children of political elite); and similar unrests in the Philippines against Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The BJP response also include criticism from Nishikant Dubey warning that Gen Z could force the Gandhi family to “flees India” if it doesn’t reform. Tewari counter by urging political actor to grown up, avoid personality-based politic, and focus on policy and the serious issue.