PM Modi forgives students for abusive remarks at protest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday, July 31, 2026, that he has forgiven students who used abusive language against him and his late mother during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. In a late-night video message shared on social media, Modi described the protesters as "misguided children" and urged society to guide them rather than seek punishment or legal retribution.

The prime minister said the country and the world had witnessed an ugly spectacle at the protest site, where some individuals used crude and abusive language that he stated does not befit a civilized society. He acknowledged the understandable anger and cultural shock within society, particularly noting the use of such language by young women. However, he stressed that the response should be compassion and guidance.

"Punishing them, dragging them through court proceedings, and harassing them in society, none of this will change the situation," Modi said. "I want to forgive them. Society, too, should accept this." He used a metaphor to explain his stance, saying that just as one does not break one's own teeth after accidentally biting one's tongue, society should not abandon its own children for their...