Amish Tripathi Defends Gen Z, Says Boomers Led Armed Naxal Revolts

Author Amish Tripathi has pushed back against criticism of Gen Z protesters, arguing that the generation is comparatively tame next to its predecessors. In an interview, he said the harsh language used by young people today is nothing new — earlier generations used far saltier words, but those were never recorded and uploaded to social media.

"Have we forgotten what we were like when we were in college? I remember in hostel we used to have gaali wars," he said, adding that the profanities of his youth would make modern Gen Z "turn crimson."

Tripathi pointed out that the Boomer generation's protest took the form of actual armed rebellion, referencing the Naxal movement. "Compared to them, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are actually relatively very tame," he said. He also noted that protests are not unique to the young — Boomers, Gen X, and millennials all held their share, including the anti-corruption movement led largely by millennials.

He cautioned, however, that the "internet never forgets," and that the worst three seconds of a three-hour protest can become a defining meme. Tripathi also warned Gen Z against crossing certain lines, observing that the Indian state "appears soft till it is not." While it can be accommodating to rule-following protests, he said, it becomes "astonishingly and ruthlessly hard" when its core power is challenged — a trait not specific to any particular government.

Asked how young people can avoid being manipulated, Tripathi advised keeping a "laser sharp" focus on their goals. If anyone tries to sidetrack them or club unrelated objectives with theirs, he said, it is time to be careful.