New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed for restraint and compassion after abusive slogans directed at him during a student protest over alleged paper leaks led to a police case against a 25-year-old woman. Stressing that “abuses never solve anything,” Modi urged society to guide those who have gone astray rather than drag them into prolonged legal battles.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the Prime Minister said the incident had been witnessed not only across the country but also abroad.
“What happened at Jantar Mantar has been seen by the country and the world. Some misguided youngsters used language that has no place in any civilised society. I was abused, and even my late mother was abused,” he said.
The remarks come days after expletives allegedly directed at Modi during a demonstration against alleged paper leaks triggered legal action against one of the protesters.
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According to the complaint, a 25-year-old woman allegedly made objectionable remarks during a Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar on July 23.
Despite the incident, Modi said responding with anger or punishment would not address the larger issue. Describing the protesters as “misguided children,” he said young people should be given an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
“Mistakes are made in childhood, and childhood also provides an opportunity to correct those mistakes. That is what being young is about,” he 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. They are misguided children. It is our duty to show them the way. Punishing them, dragging them through courts and harassing them will not change the circumstances.”
Reiterating his appeal, the Prime Minister said he personally wished to forgive those responsible and urged society to adopt the same approach.
“I want to forgive them. I request society also to accept what I am saying. Abuses never solve anything. Let us guide those who have lost their way. Let us work together. Let us work for Bharat,” he said. The video shared by his office carried the caption: “Abuses never solve anything. Let’s guide the misguided. Let’s work together. Let’s work for Bharat.”
Meanwhile, a Zero FIR has been registered at the Expressway Police Station in Noida under Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to provoking a breach of peace, statements conducing to public mischief and defamation. Since the alleged incident took place in Delhi, the case has been transferred to the Parliament Street Police Station for further investigation.
Responding to the FIR, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das said while the language used during the protest may have been objectionable, invoking criminal law against protesters over their remarks was unwarranted.
“If any language used is derogatory in nature, the aggrieved person is free to pursue civil or criminal defamation proceedings,” Das said. “However, using the criminal justice machinery against protesters over objectionable language is highly condemnable, and no one should be punished merely for the words they used.”
