All India Imam Organisation (AIIO) Chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi on Sunday, 2 August condemned the use of abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during recent student protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, asserting that such conduct insulted not just the Prime Minister but the nation itself. Ilyasi drew a firm distinction between legitimate dissent and indecency, calling on citizens to protest within the bounds of civic responsibility.

What Prompted the Condemnation

The remarks by the AIIO chief were directed at the alleged use of derogatory language against PM Modi — including offensive references to his late mother — during student demonstrations that began on 20 July against paper leaks and exam-related irregularities. The protests, held at Jantar Mantar, drew national attention after videos of the conduct circulated widely on social media.

In a video message, Ilyasi said, 'I also have a responsibility, and as an Imam, I want to fulfil my duty. Over the past month, the entire country and the world witnessed the protests that began on July 20. Everyone has the right to protest, and there is nothing wrong with that. But it should be done within the bounds of decency.'

On Property Damage and Violence

Beyond the language issue, the Chief Imam also took exception to incidents of violence that accompanied the demonstrations. 'During the protests, public property was damaged. Government buses and vehicles were set on fire, roads were blocked, and arson took place. Government property belongs to all of us, so such actions ultimately harm the public,' he said.

Ilyasi acknowledged that disagreement is a natural feature of democracy, but argued it must not cross into abuse. 'Arguments happen in a family too. However, not agreeing to certain things does not mean one starts abusing their parents,' he added, drawing an analogy to underscore his point.

Insult to India, Not Just the PM

The Chief Imam framed the derogatory remarks as a reputational blow to the country, not merely to the individual who holds the office. 'The entire world saw what kind of words were used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, this didn't affect the Prime Minister but India. This was an insult to the nation,' he said.

Ilyasi also noted that PM Modi had received the highest civilian honours from 37 countries — a distinction he described as unprecedented in India's post-independence history. 'I am not saying that this respect is only for Narendra Modi. It is an honour for India,' he said, contextualising his concern within India's international standing.

PM Modi's Own Response

The AIIO chief's remarks came in the wake of PM Modi addressing the controversy through a video message on his official Instagram account, in which he described those responsible as 'mischievous youngsters' and said the language used — including against his late mother — was 'unbecoming of any civilised society.' The Prime Minister added that he wished to forgive them, saying mistakes are part of childhood and that he held only goodwill in his heart.

This episode comes amid a broader national conversation about the limits of protest conduct, particularly as social media amplifies moments from demonstrations to global audiences within hours. How political and religious leaders respond to such incidents is likely to shape the public discourse around the ongoing student agitation.