‘Audacity to speak of forgiveness’: Opposition hits back at PM Modi over his ‘forgive students’ message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message of forgiveness towards youth who used abusive language against him during protests has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. In a late-night Instagram video, Modi expressed his desire to forgive the younger generation, acknowledging that people make mistakes but lamenting the "cultural shock" of abusive language.

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Not only was I subjected to abusive language at Jantar Mantar, but even my late mother was abused there.

However, opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav rejected Modi's offer of forgiveness. Gandhi argued that students need an apology for a "corrupt" exam system that has stolen their futures, not forgiveness. He highlighted the pain of families who lost children due to exam paper leaks and a flawed education system, stating that students do not need the Prime Minister's absolution.

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Leaked papers. Cancelled exams. Years of preparation destroyed overnight. Our students are told to work honestly in a system that is not honest with them... And the Prime Minister has the audacity to speak of ‘forgiving’ students.

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram questioned whether Modi would extend the same forgiveness to his party's online supporters who engage in abusive comments. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera remarked that the country sought an apology, but the Prime Minister instead offered forgiveness to the nation. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asserted that the public would never forgive the BJP, even with a prostrated apology, citing broken promises and government arrogance.

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India’s students do not need his forgiveness. They all owed his apology.