Modi Urges Calm, Forgives 'Misguided' Student Protesters
Prime Minister again took to Instagram to appeal for calm and strike a conciliatory note amid simmering unrest
NEW DELHI: Reeling under mounting pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a late night attempt on Friday to reach out to the agitating students, saying that although some had used "filthy language" against him and even his late mother, it was time to "embrace them."
Describing the students' outbursts as the "mistake" of a few "misguided children," Prime Minister again took to Instagram to appeal for calm and strike a conciliatory note amid simmering unrest. The Prime Minister's late night address was also being viewed as an attempt to steal the thunder from the Opposition, which has been relentlessly targeting him for the "police brutality" against the protesting students on July 20.
Modi said that some children used very abuses and it directed at him and his late mother as well.
The Prime Minister said that while society's anger was understandable, particularly over the language allegedly used by young women, the focus should be on showing them the right path rather than pushing them into legal battles.
“They are misguided children, and showing them the way is our duty and we will not be able to change circumstances by punishing them, making them run around the courts, or harassing them in society,” he said, adding that he wish to forgive these students and urged society to do the same.
He stated that just as people do not break their teeth after accidentally biting their tongue, society should not abandon its own children for their mistakes.
"Sometimes our tongue comes under our teeth and blood comes out, but we do not break our teeth—because the teeth are ours, and the tongue is ours too. The children are also ours,” the Prime Minister said, called on the students to move on from the episode.
He invited students to contribute to nation-building.
"Children, come, let us move forward together for the country. Let us learn something new, let us learn even from mistakes. I live for you, I toil for your bright future, so come, let us together take the country forward."
