New Delhi, July 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a compassionate and reform-oriented approach towards young people involved in the recent Jantar Mantar incident, saying that while the use of abusive language was unacceptable, the responsibility of society was to guide misguided youth rather than punish them.
In a video message, the Prime Minister said the events that unfolded at Jantar Mantar had been witnessed by the entire country as well as the international community. Referring to the language used by some participants during the protest, Modi said the remarks crossed the limits of decency and civility and had deeply hurt social sentiments.
He said the abusive comments were directed not only at him but also at his late mother, leading to widespread public outrage and what he described as a “cultural shock” across society.
Despite the criticism, the Prime Minister urged people to adopt a balanced and humane approach while dealing with young protesters. He said that mistakes are a natural part of growing up and should become opportunities for learning rather than lifelong punishment.
“Children and young people are bound to make mistakes. Our duty is to help them realise those mistakes and guide them towards the right path,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister observed that dragging students into prolonged legal proceedings, imposing severe punishment or socially isolating them would not help improve the situation. Instead, he said, society, educational institutions and families must work together to provide direction and constructive guidance to young minds.
Using a simple analogy to explain his point, Modi said, “Our teeth and our tongue both belong to us. Sometimes the tongue gets bitten and bleeds, but we do not break our teeth. These young people are also our own children, and it is our responsibility to guide them back to the right path.
“Emphasising the importance of dialogue and understanding, the Prime Minister said the nation must focus on correcting mistakes instead of creating permanent divisions between generations.
Addressing the country’s youth directly, Modi urged them to leave past mistakes behind, continue learning and channel their energy towards achieving their dreams and contributing positively to society.
He said India’s future depends on its young generation and called upon them to participate actively in nation-building through discipline, innovation and constructive efforts.
Reaffirming his commitment to the country’s development, the Prime Minister said his life remains dedicated to ensuring a brighter future for every Indian and expressed confidence that the youth would play a leading role in shaping a stronger, more prosperous and developed India.
