NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for compassion towards students accused of abusing him at the Jantar Mantar protest has triggered a fresh response, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke questioning whether the message of forgiveness would extend beyond words.Reacting to the Prime Minister’s selfie-style Instagram video, Dipke wrote, “Fraand, sirf reel par hi maaf karoge ya cases bhi wapas loge?(Friend, will you forgive them only through reels, or will you also withdraw the cases?)”The Prime Minister’s video, shared on his official Instagram and X handles on Friday, came after a 15-year old protester from Noida was booked for allegedly using derogatory language against him during at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.In the video, PM Modi said, “Today I just feel like talking to you. The country and the world have witnessed what happened at Jantar Mantar. Some mischievous children used very crude and abusive language, words that do not befit any civilized society. I was personally abused, and even my late mother was subjected to abuse. It was a truly ugly spectacle.”Acknowledging the public outrage over the incident, the Prime Minister urged people to view the matter through the lens of reform rather than punishment.He said that while the students’ remarks had understandably outraged society, mistakes are part of growing up. He urged people to forgive them, guide them in the right direction, and help them reform, saying the students had “lost their way” but deserved an opportunity to correct themselves.The Prime Minister further argued against prolonged legal action and social ostracisation.“Punishing them, dragging them through court proceedings, and harassing them in society, none of this will change the situation. I want to forgive them. Society, too, should accept this,” PM Modi said, while urging the students to learn from their mistakes and move forward.Earlier, Dipke had questioned the police action and alleged selective enforcement of the law.In a video shared by CJP on X, he said, “If you are registering cases for abusing, when will cases be registered against those BJP IT Cell people who have been using abusive language for women online for years?”He further alleged that several social media users identifying themselves with the BJP had routinely targeted women online.“They have been using all kinds of words, not respecting women from any angle. And they proudly wrote in their bio, ‘Followed by PM Modi’. Such people have abused girls. When will the case be filed on them?” Dipke said.Questioning the criminal proceedings, Dipke argued that abusive language, while objectionable, should not automatically attract criminal prosecution.
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“If cases are to be filed for abusing, highest number of cases will be filed against the BJP’s IT Cell, because they are the ones who have abused women the most. And it will be against BJP’s leaders, who have used bad language for years, even inside the Parliament,” he said.In a post accompanying the video, CJP asked, “Will an FIR be filed against all those IT Cell members who have been abusing women for the last several years?”This is not the first time Dipke has publicly reacted to one of the Prime Minister’s social media videos. Earlier on Thursday, after PM Modi released a video message highlighting the recently passed anti-paper leak legislation, Dipke commented on Instagram, “Your skin is brighter than the country’s future.”The Prime Minister had described the legislation as a key reform aimed at strengthening the examination system.