Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed remorse for his treatment of protesters during recent youth-led demonstrations against exam paper leaks. The protests began last month and were sparked by anger over examination paper leaks.
The online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) mobilized large protests in New Delhi and other cities, posing the biggest challenge to Modi’s government in recent years. Some protesters featured in widely circulated videos shouted insults at Modi have since faced online abuse from his supporters as well as police complaints.
Police also asked social media platforms, including Meta and X, to take down what they described as abusive and manipulated content targeting the prime minister. The protests highlighted concerns over examination paper leaks, unemployment, and governance, with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning in response to widespread discontent.
Modi’s remarks came after he posted a video on Instagram late on Friday, where he expressed his desire to “forgive” protesters who abused him during the demonstrations. The prime minister stated that words used by some protesters were not suitable for civilised society and directed them towards his late mother.
The protests marked a rare political setback for Modi’s government, which had been facing increasing criticism over various issues. Modi has increasingly used Instagram to communicate directly with youngsters since the protests began, with his ruling party boasting 9.6 million followers on the platform while the CJP launched only in May and has more than 26m.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing concerns through dialogue rather than resorting to legal action. Modi’s comments also highlight the need for greater accountability from those in power, particularly when it comes to issues such as examination paper leaks and governance.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
