India PM Modi says he forgives protesters who abused him

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday he wanted to forgive protesters who abused him during recent youth-led demonstrations that dealt a rare political setback to his government.

The remarks came after the online Cockroach Janta Party mobilized large protests in New Delhi and other cities over examination paper leaks.

Why did PM Modi say he forgives the protesters?

Modi said mistakes made in youth should be corrected through guidance rather than legal action, referring to police cases filed against some demonstrators. He said abuses hurled at him and his late mother do not belong in civilized society, but chose forgiveness over punishment.

"The country and the world witnessed what happened at Jantar Mantar. Some mischievous youngsters hurled vile abuses," Modi, 75, said in a video posted on Instagram late Friday. "Words were used that do not belong to civilized society, directed not just at me, but even at my late mother. I want to forgive them."

What sparked the protests against Modi's government?

The protests, which began last month, were initially sparked by anger over examination paper leaks. They broadened into a wider expression of frustration over unemployment and governance, culminating in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Some protesters featured in widely circulated videos shouting insults at the prime minister have since faced online abuse from Modi supporters, as well as police complaints, according to local media reports. Police have also asked social media platforms, including Meta and X, to take down content they described as abusive and manipulated material targeting the premier.

How has Modi used Instagram during the protests?

Since the protests began, Modi has increasingly used Instagram, the platform on which the Cockroach Janta Party built much of its support, to communicate directly with young people.

His ruling party holds 9.6 million Instagram followers, compared with the Cockroach Janta Party's more than 26 million, despite the party launching only in May.