Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the public for restraint and understanding following an incident where student protesters allegedly used expletives against him and his late mother. Addressing the issue in a video message, PM Modi stated that he wishes to forgive those involved and urged society to guide misguided youth rather than punish them.
The controversy stems from a July 23 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party over alleged examination paper leaks. During the demonstration, objectionable remarks were allegedly directed at the Prime Minister, leading to legal action against a 25-year-old woman.
A Call for Guidance Over Punishment
Emphasizing that harsh measures and anger are not the answer, the Prime Minister noted that young people often make mistakes that serve as learning opportunities.
“Mistakes are made in childhood, and childhood also provides an opportunity to correct those mistakes,” PM Modi said. “There is anger in society, and I understand that. But now is the time to embrace these children and show them the right path… Punishing them, dragging them through courts, and harassing them will not change the circumstances.”
He added that abuses solve nothing and called on the nation to work together for the country’s growth rather than focusing on retaliation.
Legal Action and Political Reactions
Following the incident, a Zero FIR was registered at the Expressway Police Station in Noida under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections covering:
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Section 352: Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
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Section 353(1): Statements conducing to public mischief
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Section 356(1): Defamation
The case has since been transferred to the Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi, which holds jurisdiction over the Jantar Mantar area.
Responding to the FIR, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das acknowledged that while derogatory language is objectionable, invoking criminal machinery against protesters is inappropriate. Das noted that aggrieved parties have the option to pursue standard defamation proceedings, but argued that protesters should not face severe criminal action solely for their words.
