Another day, another Instagram video from Prime Minister Narendra Modi—and another sarcastic response from Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke. On Friday, after PM Modi posted his fifth Instagram video in a week saying he had forgiven the students who used abusive language against him during the protests, Dipke questioned whether the government would also withdraw the cases filed against the protesters.
Commenting on the Prime Minister's Instagram post, Dipke wrote, "Sirf reel par hi maaf karoge ya cases bhi vapas loge?" (Will you forgive them only through a reel, or will you also withdraw the cases?)
In his latest Instagram video, a platform he has increasingly used to connect with Gen Z, PM Modi addressed the outrage surrounding viral videos in which abusive and objectionable remarks were allegedly made against him.
The video came amid controversy over a 15-year-old from Noida being booked for allegedly making abusive remarks against the Prime Minister during the student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The prolonged agitation over examination paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the education system eventually led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
"Some youngsters hurled crude abuses. Words were used that do not befit a civilised society. I was personally abused, and even my late mother was subjected to vile insults," PM Modi said in his late-night video.
"Abuses never solve anything. Punishing them, dragging them through court proceedings, or harassing them—none of this will change the situation. I wish to forgive them... Let's guide the misguided," he added.
A day earlier, PM Modi had shared another selfie-style video praising the passage of the amended anti-paper leak law, which provides for stricter punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
Responding sarcastically to that video, Dipke commented, "Your skin is brighter than the country's future."
Cases against students become latest flashpoint
A week after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, cases registered against student protesters have emerged as the latest point of confrontation between the CJP and the government.
Dipke and other CJP leaders have alleged that students who participated in the protests are being harassed and threatened with arrest. Dipke has also warned of a much larger protest if the government fails to address their concerns.
While several states have withdrawn FIRs against students, cases involving protesters with criminal antecedents are continuing.
The developments come against the backdrop of the Supreme Court directing states to release all minors and individuals without criminal records who had been arrested or detained during the CJP-led protests.
The issue gained renewed attention after Noida Police registered a Zero FIR against the teenager seen in viral videos allegedly using abusive language against the Prime Minister.
A Zero FIR can be filed at any police station irrespective of where the alleged offence took place. The case has since been transferred to the Delhi Police.
Following the police action, the teenager released a video apologising for her remarks, saying she had been influenced by others around her who were raising abusive slogans against PM Modi.
Calling it her "first and last mistake", she said, "I am only 15 years old. Whatever I did was not worthy of forgiveness. I have said a lot of bad things."
The action against the teenager drew criticism from the CJP. While stating that abusive language should not be encouraged, party spokesperson Saurav Das argued that criminal prosecution over such remarks could have a "chilling effect on free speech".
In a separate video, Dipke questioned why similar legal action had not been taken against BJP leaders or members of the party's IT cell over what he described as their previous "crass" remarks. He also referred to an earlier objectionable remark allegedly made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath towards a cameraperson.
"The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh had a video in which he abused a cameraperson... Are there two laws in this country? Is there one law for the youth and another for the BJP and its leaders?" Dipke said.
