Modi calls for forgiving 'misguided youth' over Jantar Mantar protests

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for forgiving the youth who participated in the recent student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, emphasising that it is society's duty to guide misguided children rather than punish them.

In a late-night video message shared on Instagram yesterday (31 July), the Indian prime minister addressed the youth following protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Refusing to take punitive measures, Modi stressed the need to embrace the young protesters despite the personal distress caused by their actions.

People make mistakes, but it was a cultural shock that our daughters are using such abusive language

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"I want to forgive them. People make mistakes, but it was a cultural shock that our daughters are using such abusive language. We must forgive our youth who were misguided. After all, they are our children. It's our duty to show them the right path," he said.

Lamenting that even his late mother was subjected to filthy abuses unfit for a civilised society, Modi noted that while he understood the anger prevailing in society, insults solve nothing.

The BJP leader's remarks drew a sharp reaction from the opposition party Congress, which criticised the message by stating that while the country was demanding the prime minister to apologise, he had instead "forgiven the country".

Drawing an analogy, Modi remarked that people do not pull out their teeth even if they bite their tongue, as both belong to the body just as the youth belong to the nation.

Modi stated that the situation could not be rectified by dragging young people into courts or parading them before society, noting that there is always scope for correction during youth.

He appealed to the young protesters to come forward and learn from their mistakes.