New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed for civility in public discourse after abusive slogans raised against him during a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar triggered a political storm and a police investigation. Calling the episode “unfortunate,” the Prime Minister said abuse and insults can never be a solution to any problem and urged people to respond with understanding rather than anger.
In a video message released late Friday, Modi said the country and even the world had witnessed the language used during the protest. Referring to those involved as “misguided youth,” he said they deserved guidance instead of hatred and stressed that forgiveness was a better response than retaliation.
“Abuses never solve anything,” the Prime Minister said, adding that people who make mistakes should be shown the right path so that they can contribute positively to society.
The controversy erupted after videos from a protest at Jantar Mantar went viral on social media, showing a section of demonstrators allegedly using abusive language against the Prime Minister and his late mother. The protest was part of demonstrations over alleged examination paper leaks and demands for greater accountability in the recruitment process.
Following the circulation of the videos, Delhi Police registered a case in connection with the incident. A Zero FIR was initially lodged before the matter was transferred to Parliament Street Police Station, which is now investigating the case. Officials have not disclosed further details about the progress of the investigation.
The issue took another turn on Saturday when a girl claiming to be 15 years old released a public apology. In the video, she expressed regret over the language used during the protest, saying she had acted under the influence of others and never intended to create such a controversy. Her apology quickly gained attention online and became a major talking point in the larger debate surrounding the incident.
The Prime Minister’s remarks drew mixed political reactions. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised his message, describing it as an appeal for dignity and restraint in political discourse. Several party leaders said the response reflected the need to maintain civility despite sharp political differences.
Opposition leaders, however, questioned whether the call for forgiveness would be accompanied by any change in the legal action initiated against those accused in the case. Some argued that if reconciliation was the objective, authorities should also reconsider the criminal proceedings linked to the protest.
The organiser of the demonstration also reacted to the Prime Minister’s statement, asking whether the appeal for forgiveness would eventually lead to the withdrawal of the FIRs filed after the protest. The comments added another political dimension to a controversy that has continued to dominate headlines since the videos surfaced.
The incident has also drawn reactions from constitutional authorities. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel criticised the use of abusive language against the Prime Minister, saying such behaviour was inconsistent with the values expected in a democratic society. She described the episode as a reminder of the need to uphold respect and decorum, particularly among young people.
The controversy comes at a time when protests over alleged examination paper leaks have intensified in several parts of the country. Students and job aspirants have been demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations and stricter action against those responsible for irregularities. The Centre has repeatedly said it is committed to strengthening the examination system and ensuring that those involved in paper leak cases face stringent action.
While the investigation into the Jantar Mantar incident continues, the episode has evolved into a wider debate over the limits of political expression, the language used during protests, and the responsibility of public figures and demonstrators alike. The Prime Minister’s appeal for restraint has added a conciliatory note to an otherwise heated controversy, even as questions surrounding the police investigation and the legal proceedings remain unresolved.
With political reactions continuing and the investigation still underway, the incident is likely to remain in focus in the days ahead, not only because of the controversy itself but also because it has reopened discussions on the balance between freedom of expression, public accountability and maintaining civility in democratic debate.
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