In a direct appeal shared across social media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the viral controversy surrounding derogatory slogans used against him and his late mother during student demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The Prime Minister said that while the language used by some protesters was deeply disturbing, dragging misguided youth through courts or subjecting them to social harassment is not the solution.
Emphasizing that youth is a phase where errors in judgment occur, PM Modi declared his decision to forgive the student protesters, urging society to guide misguided youth rather than seek retribution.
What Triggered the Controversy
The demonstrations at Jantar Mantar were organized by student unions and youth groups over allegations of paper leaks in competitive examinations including NEET-UG. During the protests, a viral clip showed a 25-year-old woman, identified as Ruchika Singh, using derogatory language directed at the Prime Minister. Following a complaint by advocate Smriti Singh Chandel, Noida Police registered a Zero FIR under BNS Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1); the case was later transferred to Delhi Police for investigation.
The Prime Minister’s Message
“The country and the world witnessed what happened at Jantar Mantar. Some mischievous children used very crude and abusive language… I was personally abused, and even my late mother was subjected to abuse. It was a deeply disturbing spectacle. However, I want to talk about the fact that mistakes happen in youth, and youth also offers the opportunity to correct those mistakes… I want to forgive those who abused me. I request society to accept my decision.”
To illustrate his point, PM Modi used a cultural metaphor: “Sometimes, our tongue gets caught between our teeth and bleeds. Yet we do not break our teeth – after all, both the teeth and the tongue belong to us.”
Dual Message: Forgiveness and Legislative Action
Alongside his personal appeal for forgiveness, PM Modi drew a clear line between misguided student protesters and organized paper-leak mafias, who he said “will not be spared.” He pointed to the recently passed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act as evidence of the government’s commitment to fixing the root cause of student frustration.
Political Reaction
Congress’s Pawan Khera said “the country is asking him to apologize… yet he has forgiven the country,” while Rahul Gandhi argued the government “cannot threaten Gen Z into silence” via FIRs. Student groups welcomed the Prime Minister’s call but demanded formal withdrawal of the FIRs already registered.
What You Need to Know
- The Core Message: PM Modi said he wants to forgive the student protesters who used abusive language against him, and asked society to accept his decision.
- Rejection of Legal Harassment: He argued that dragging young students through courts will not solve the underlying problem.
- Anti-Paper Leak Focus: He reiterated that organized exam-mafia gangs, as opposed to individual protesters, will face strict prosecution under new legislation.
- Context: The video followed a Zero FIR against a 25-year-old Noida protester over viral remarks made during the July 23 Jantar Mantar demonstration.