A teenage girl booked for making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a NEET paper leak protest has issued a public apology, with a video of her statement circulating widely on social media. The incident, which led to a Zero FIR being filed at a Noida police station on Wednesday before being transferred to Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi, has drawn national attention amid broader unrest over the NEET examination controversy.

The Apology Video

In the clip, the girl stands with folded hands and directly addresses viewers, acknowledging that her comments during the student demonstration were inappropriate. She states that the charged atmosphere at the protest influenced her and led her to say things she would not ordinarily have said. She describes herself as deeply remorseful and says she finds it difficult to face herself after reflecting on her conduct.

'I am only 15-years-old. Whatever I did was not worthy of forgiveness. I have said a lot of bad things,' she says in the video. She adds: 'I apologise to the entire country. I am so ashamed. I can't even look at myself. Please forgive me.' She calls the episode her 'first and last mistake' and appeals to the public to treat it as an isolated lapse in judgement.

Age Discrepancy and the FIR

A notable detail in the apology video is the girl's claim about her age. The FIR reportedly described her as a 25-year-old, but she asserts in the clip that she is only 15. The discrepancy has not been independently verified. The complaint, filed at a Noida police station, alleged that her remarks insulted the dignity of the Prime Minister's Office and could spread disharmony and disturb public peace. The Zero FIR was subsequently transferred to Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi.

PM Modi's Response

The apology video emerged within hours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi posting a video on Instagram appealing for restraint and forgiveness following abusive slogans directed at him during student protests. In that message, Modi referred specifically to events at Jantar Mantar, where he said some 'mischievous youngsters' had used language unbecoming of any civilised society.

Modi noted that not only was he targeted, but his late mother was also subjected to what he described as deeply appalling abuse. Acknowledging the public outrage, he said mistakes are part of childhood and that childhood itself provides the opportunity to correct those mistakes. 'That is the very essence of childhood,' he remarked.

Calling the youngsters 'misguided,' Modi stressed that the need of the hour was to guide rather than punish them. 'It is our duty to guide them. Punishing them, dragging them through court proceedings, or harassing them in society will not change the situation,' he said. He made clear he wished to forgive them and hoped society would accept that sentiment.

Broader Context

The incident is rooted in the nationwide student agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination. Protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations drew large crowds of students, and the demonstrations at times turned confrontational. This case has emerged as one of the most high-profile individual episodes from those protests, given the involvement of a minor and the subsequent legal action.

With PM Modi having publicly called for forgiveness and the accused herself having issued an apology, legal observers will watch whether the transferred FIR proceeds or is dropped in light of both the Prime Minister's stated position and the girl's claimed age.