New Delhi: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has questioned the alleged involvement of IIT directors in facilitating interactions between their alumni and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat during his upcoming visit to the United States, calling the move "totally unacceptable".

In a post on X, Ramesh claimed that several IIT directors had been asked to reach out to alumni ahead of Bhagwat's visit and questioned why the heads of premier technical institutions were involved in such outreach.

"A number of IIT Directors, distinguished professionals in their own right, have been mobilised to reach out to alumni to interact with Mohan Bhagwat when he is in the US later this month. This is totally unacceptable," Ramesh said.

He distinguished such outreach from interactions involving elected representatives.

"Asking alumni to interact with PMs, CMs, Ministers, and MPs is one thing. But the RSS head?" the Congress leader said.

Bhagwat is scheduled to visit the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom from August 25, according to sources. The trip has been organised following invitations from associations and organisations linked to the Indian diaspora.

RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar had earlier announced that Bhagwat would travel to the three countries at the invitation of overseas organisations and associations.

During the visit, Bhagwat is expected to meet members of the Indian diaspora and representatives of local organisations. More details of his itinerary are expected to be announced.

The overseas tour comes as the RSS marks its centenary year and is expected to include discussions on Indian culture, society and the organisation's activities.

Bhagwat had recently addressed youth at the 15-year celebration of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai, where he discussed the role of young people in democracy and the nature of protests.

"As far as my experience about Gen Z goes, when we were their age, we were habitual of accepting whatever the elders said. Now, Gen Z and Gen Alpha question; they want logical answers," Bhagwat said.

He said democratic debate should accommodate different perspectives and help develop a broader understanding of issues.

"I won't say that Gen Z should not protest, but there are methods for how and what is to be done in democracy," he said.

Bhagwat also said young protesters should not automatically be described as anti-national.

"I think the new generation - the Gen Z and Gen Alpha- is more honest than our existing generation, and the honest appeal of patriotism and service works with them," he said.