The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, 1 August praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for publicly forgiving students who used abusive language against him during the recent NEET paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar, calling his response a demonstration of statesmanship. Party leaders drew a sharp contrast with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, arguing that while Gandhi had imposed the Emergency in response to political protests, Modi had chosen guidance over retaliation.

The Prime Minister's Message

The remarks followed a video message PM Modi released on his official Instagram account a day earlier, in which he said he wished to speak directly to the country's youth. Referring to the Jantar Mantar demonstrations over the NEET paper leaks, he described some participants as 'mischievous youngsters' who had used language 'unbecoming of any civilised society.' He noted that not only was he personally targeted, but his late mother was also subjected to what he called deeply appalling abuse. The Prime Minister said mistakes are part of childhood and that childhood itself provides the opportunity to correct them, adding that he held 'only one feeling' in his heart — forgiveness.

What BJP Leaders Said

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, 'It is truly remarkable. Our Prime Minister has an extraordinary heart. No one becomes Narendra Modi just like that. At Jantar Mantar, a section of the youth used abusive language even against his mother... Yet, the Prime Minister released his video message and said, ‘They are children. It is their immaturity. They should not have used such language, but they are our children.’ The way he appealed to them, asking them to leave the path of abuse and contribute to nation-building, is something that no statesman can do.'

Shahdeo added the historical contrast directly: 'Similar protests happened during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as the Prime Minister; however, she responded with the Emergency. On the other hand, our Prime Minister has forgiven the students and shown them the right path.'

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said Modi had acted 'not just as the Prime Minister, but as a guardian of the country’s children,' adding that 'there should not be any politics in this.' Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi described the Prime Minister as a leader with an 'exceptionally large and compassionate heart,' noting that the abusive language directed at Modi’s late mother was 'so offensive that it cannot even be repeated or heard in a civilised society.'

Naqvi's Broader Allegation

Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi used the occasion to make a wider claim, alleging that PM Modi has 'consistently been the target' of what he termed an 'abuse gang.' Naqvi claimed this group had 'repeatedly tried to use the shoulders of different sections of society — sometimes youth, sometimes farmers, sometimes women, and sometimes students — as a tool' to 'tarnish the country’s image and reputation.' He contrasted what he called the Prime Minister’s 'sensitivity' with what he described as 'feudal arrogance' on the other side. These are BJP’s characterisations and have not been independently verified.

Context and What Comes Next

The NEET paper leak controversy had triggered widespread student demonstrations across India, with Jantar Mantar in New Delhi emerging as a focal point. The BJP’s coordinated praise signals an effort to reframe the political narrative around the protests — shifting focus from the examination integrity crisis to the Prime Minister’s personal response. Opposition parties have not yet formally responded to the BJP’s Emergency comparison. How the student community and the broader public receive Modi’s message of forgiveness is likely to shape the political temperature around the NEET controversy in the days ahead.