Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he forgives protesters who insulted him during recent youth-led demonstrations that posed one of the biggest political challenges to his government in recent years.
Speaking in a video posted on Instagram on Friday, Modi said he would not hold grudges against young people involved in the protests, which were sparked by examination paper leaks and later expanded into broader demands over unemployment and governance.
“The country and the world witnessed what happened at Jantar Mantar. Some mischievous youngsters hurled vile abuses,” the 75-year-old prime minister said.
“Words were used that do not belong to civilised society—directed not just at me, but even at my late mother. I want to forgive them.”
The protests, organised largely through the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), drew large crowds in New Delhi and several other cities, marking a rare setback for Modi’s administration.
Following the demonstrations, some protesters who were seen in widely circulated videos insulting the prime minister reportedly faced online harassment from Modi supporters, while police also filed complaints against some participants, according to local media.
Authorities have additionally asked social media platforms, including Meta and X, to remove content they described as abusive or manipulated.
Modi said young people should be guided rather than punished for mistakes made in their youth, suggesting that education and counselling were preferable to legal action.
The protests eventually led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as public anger widened beyond examination irregularities to concerns over unemployment and governance.
Since the demonstrations began, Modi has stepped up his use of Instagram to engage directly with young people. His ruling party currently has about 9.6 million followers on the platform, while the Cockroach Janta Party, launched in May, has amassed more than 26 million followers.
