Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 1: A teenager accused of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar has apologised in a video that surfaced online, claiming she was influenced by others raising slogans during the demonstration.
The video, in which the girl appears with folded hands, has gone viral on social media. However, its authenticity could not be independently verified.
In the video, the teenager claims she is 15 years old and expresses regret over her remarks.
"I came under the influence of those people. I am only 15 years old. Whatever I did was not worthy of forgiveness. I have said a lot of bad things," she says.
Describing it as her "first and last mistake", she adds: "I apologise to the entire country. I am so ashamed. I can't even look at myself. Please forgive me."
The apology comes days after a Zero FIR was registered against her at Noida's Expressway Police Station over the alleged use of abusive language against the Prime Minister during the July 23 protest at Jantar Mantar.
According to the FIR, the remarks insulted the dignity of the constitutional office of the Prime Minister and were intended to create social discord and disturb public peace.
Police registered the case under Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Zero FIR has since been transferred to Delhi's Parliament Street Police Station, which is conducting the investigation.
According to media reports, the teenager lived with her mother in a residential society in Noida. The apartment has reportedly remained locked since the protest, and security personnel said she has not returned. Police have also visited the society and questioned residents as part of the investigation.
The apology video surfaced hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message stating that he had forgiven the students accused of abusing him during the protest and urged society to guide rather than punish them.
"It pained me that even my late mother was subjected to filthy abuses. But abuses never solve anything; let us guide the misguided," the Prime Minister said.
"I want to forgive them. People make mistakes. We must forgive our youth who were misguided; after all, they are our children. It is our duty to show them the right path," he added.
Modi said dragging such children to court or publicly shaming them would not resolve the issue and urged them to learn from their mistakes and contribute positively to the country's future.
His remarks drew criticism from the Congress. Party media and publicity department chairman Pawan Khera, in a post on X, said, "The country is asking him to apologise, yet he has forgiven the country."
The controversy stems from the CJP-led agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The protest began at Jantar Mantar on June 20 and concluded on July 25 after the Centre accepted the protesters' demands following three rounds of talks. During the agitation, a march towards Parliament on July 20 witnessed clashes between protesters and the police.