Controversy Erupts Over Student Protests and Legal Action Against Anti-Modi Remarks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that he forgives student protesters who used abusive language against him and his late mother during recent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following NEET paper leaks. While the Prime Minister described the protesters as misguided children who deserve guidance rather than punishment, legal actions have proceeded. A woman from Faridabad was booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for intentional insult, public mischief, and defamation after a complaint was filed by a Ghaziabad resident. The CJP has condemned the use of criminal machinery, arguing that profanity is not a criminal offense and questioning why similar actions are not taken against BJP members who use objectionable language online. Other public figures have weighed in, with actor Prakash Raj warning the government against witch hunting students and Mukesh Khanna claiming the protests are a sponsored effort to destabilize the government. The unrest also involved physical clashes on July 20. Family members of injured Delhi Police personnel held a press conference calling for a parliamentary discussion on the violence, claiming over 250 officers were injured and significant government property was vandalized. Conversely, some protesters have reported harassment from online mobs and police. One content creator, Shradha Singh, alleged she received death and rape threats after a video of her near security personnel was shared by meme pages. The Supreme Court observed on July 28 that it would consider a high powered investigating team to inquire into allegations of police excesses during the protests.