NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through a late-night video message on Instagram, expressing deep sorrow over the derogatory language used against him and his late mother during recent student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. Despite the personal nature of the verbal attacks, the Prime Minister appealed to the public and law enforcement to forgive the young protesters, characterizing them as "misguided children" who require guidance rather than punishment.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come in the wake of widespread demonstrations triggered by alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. During the protests, a section of demonstrators reportedly hurled offensive remarks targeted at the leadership and their families.
'We Must Guide the Misguided': PM Modi Emphasizes Empathy
In his emotional video address, PM Modi shared that his heart impelled him to speak directly to the nation's youth regarding the events that unfolded at Jantar Mantar.
"Not only was I subjected to abusive language at Jantar Mantar, but even my late mother was abused there with filthy language," the Prime Minister stated. "But abuses never solve anything; let's guide the misguided. I want to forgive them. People make mistakes, but it was a cultural shock that our daughters are using such abusive language."
Underscoring the responsibility of society, he drew an analogy to underscore unity: "We don't disown our teeth even if they bite our tongue; both belong to us, just as our youth are our own." He urged young citizens to learn from their missteps and move forward constructively alongside the nation's progress.
The Prime Minister further asserted that dragging young individuals through legal court battles or public humiliation would not serve the greater good. "Society should also accept my submission because sometimes people go astray, but that does not mean they should be punished. The children are ours. It is our responsibility to show them the correct path," Modi added.
Congress Hits Back, Questioning PM's Remarks
The Prime Minister’s message drew immediate and sharp criticism from the opposition Congress party. Reacting to the video, Pawan Khera, head of the Congress media and publicity department, took to social media platform X to criticize PM Modi's stance.
"Listen to this. The country is asking him to apologise, yet he has forgiven the country," Khera wrote, arguing that the government should take accountability for the grievances that drove students to protest in the first place.
Background of the Jantar Mantar Agitation
The student-led demonstrations at Jantar Mantar began on June 20, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) following widespread outrage over alleged leaks and discrepancies in the NEET examinations. The 36-day agitation saw participation from thousands of students nationwide and received substantial backing from major opposition parties.
The movement intensified on July 20 during a massive march toward Parliament, which met with heavy police resistance, including lathi charges and tear gas. The prolonged protest officially concluded on July 25 after three rounds of negotiations between government representatives and the CJP. The protest was called off following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the government’s formal acceptance of the protesters' demands.
