India recently witnessed one of the most high-profile student protests in recent years at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was initially organised around the grievances of NEET aspirants who alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities, while many students were also reported to have lost their lives by suicide following the controversy. Authorities had granted permission for a peaceful demonstration at the designated protest site.
However, according to police and reports from the ground, the agitation gradually expanded beyond its original objective. What began as a protest over examination issues soon transformed into a larger political mobilisation. Participants attempted an unauthorised march towards Parliament, while drones were reportedly seen operating near one of the country’s most heavily secured zones. Protest posters and slogans also drew attention for carrying abusive language directed at the Union Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The developments prompted increased scrutiny from law enforcement agencies, particularly after Parliament passed the Anti-Paper Leak Bill and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down. Delhi Police has since been identifying individuals allegedly involved in incidents of vandalism, disorder and other offences that occurred during the attempted march.
Reports from the protest site also noted episodes of stone-pelting, clashes and the use of abusive language, both in slogans raised during demonstrations and on posters carried by certain participants.
Police action intensifies
As investigations progressed, Delhi Police initiated action against several individuals allegedly linked to incidents of vandalism, unlawful assembly and objectionable content circulated both during and after the protests.
The police action followed the attempted march towards Parliament despite permission being limited to demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. Authorities have also been examining video footage, drone activity and social media content linked to the protests as part of their investigation.
The developments have simultaneously triggered a larger debate over the limits of public protest, accountability during demonstrations and the balance between freedom of expression and enforcement of law.
CJP spokesperson questions Supreme Court order
Amid the ongoing investigation, statements made by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das drew widespread attention after he criticised the Supreme Court’s interim order relating to the protesters.
Referring to the court’s direction that no coercive action be taken against protesters except those with criminal antecedents, Das stated:
“Police will misuse this given space; if SC is final authority, then we’ll negotiate with them, not the govt.”
He elaborated further, “We were very concerned when Supreme Court gave such statement where it said, no coercive actin will be taken against students except for those who have past criminal records. But when you give such space to the police they are obviously going to use it and the Supreme court will be found sleeping when criminal machinery is behind you, acting. And hence we objected to the SC order which, as this is what was agreed between the protestors and the state. The SC order also says, FIRs can proceed with the legal actions, we objected to that as well.”
Hahhahahahahahaha!!
Saurav Das: If Supreme Court is final authority, then we’ll negotiate with them, not the govt
He does not have a clue how System Functions Hahahahah! pic.twitter.com/BDU7RhRsmH
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) July 30, 2026
Das further questioned the relationship between the understanding reached with the government and the Supreme Court’s role, saying, “If the SC is the final authority then the negotiations should have been done with them and not the government. Do the Govt of India’s words hold no meaning, If an understanding is reached between the people and their govt, does that hold no meaning, so, Supreme Court must also think, the government of India must also think.”
Constitutional details on separation of powers
Das’s remarks also reignited discussion around one of the foundational principles of the Indian Constitution, the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances among the three organs of the State.
Under India’s constitutional framework, the Legislature, comprising Parliament and State Legislatures, enacts laws, debates national policy, exercises financial control and holds the Executive accountable.
The Executive, consisting of the President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and the permanent civil administration, is responsible for implementing laws passed by the Legislature, framing policy and administering day-to-day governance.
The Judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court and followed by High Courts and subordinate courts, interprets the Constitution and laws, safeguards fundamental rights and exercises judicial review over executive and legislative actions wherever required.
Unlike the Executive, the Judiciary is not responsible for negotiating with protesters or implementing government policy. Similarly, the Executive cannot exercise judicial powers, while Parliament cannot interfere in judicial decision-making except within the constitutional framework. The three institutions function independently while maintaining a constitutional system of checks and balances designed to prevent concentration of power.
Das’s remarks therefore became the focal point of criticism from several social media users, many of whom argued that his statements overlooked these constitutional distinctions and conflated the separate functions assigned to the Executive and the Judiciary.
Social Media users question the intellect of Das and CJP
Social media users reacted to Das’s remarks by pointing to what they saw as a misunderstanding of these basic principles. One user wrote, “He does not have a clue how the system functions”.
This is new for indias. But very common in bengal. Most of the leftist have any clue what’s going on or how system structure is.
Well let him NEGOTIATE with court.
— Sarkar_connect (@skar_connect) July 30, 2026
Another wrote, “For once Read the book you hold all the time – and Cockroaches want this person to be there leader? Separation of Powers – the core of a democracy”.
For once Read the book you hold all the time – and Cockroaches want this person to be there leader?
Separation of Powers – the core of a democracy pic.twitter.com/vFcbb1chA8
— THE DESI PROFESSOR (@desiprof_) July 30, 2026
A further comment stated, “DH mentally deranged thinks SC is a place for negotiations.. And they are talking about EDUCATION of others.. A country where their atrocities is not met with a Gun shot is because of DEMOCRACY… Where the Majority vote ELECTS the Government.. This pest is delusional to think he has any standing for NEGOTIATIONS.”
DH mentally deranged thinks SC is a place for negotiations..
And they are talking about EDUCATION of others..
A country where their atrocities is not met with a Gun shot is because of DEMOCRACY…
Where the Majority vote ELECTS the Government..
This pest is delusional to…
— MITESH SHAH (@miteshrs) July 30, 2026
Yet another user observed, “He is living in a la la world The moment they face even a havaldar at the local police station, forget the SC, forget any high ranking officer, like a district collector, they will be pissing in their pants, The system is very strict, everything is not social media world, Never underestimate the govt, just because they agreed to your demands, you are not a king, your position will always be weak in front of the govt, forget the SC,”
He is living in a la la world
The moment they face even a havaldar at the local police station, forget the SC, forget any high ranking officer, like a district collector, they will be pissing in their pants,
The system is very strict, everything is not social media world,…
— BlueSky (@wuhan3700) July 30, 2026
Das defends protesters, questions criminal action
Speaking to PTI, Das reiterated his criticism of police action while also acknowledging that objectionable language should be avoided.
Das said, “Sums up GenZ rightly. No freaking clue how system works, but remains “woke”. Of course not all GenZ. I have come across some really confident, well-read ones too – it’s largely to do with parenting. Social Media age has helped them with confidence. But what that mouth utters – that’s a matter of brains and upbringing.”
#WATCH | Delhi: On FIR against Noida girl for using abusive language against PM Narendra Modi during protest at Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janta Party Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das says, “One might condemn the use of abusive language during a protest. However, using the criminal… pic.twitter.com/BkOdx0flQb
— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2026
On the question of language used during the protests he stated, “If any language used was derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil and criminal defamation proceedings against the individual concerned. However, the use of the criminal justice machinery against protesters is highly condemnable, and no one should be punished merely for using objectionable language. The language may be wrong, and it may be objectionable to someone, but that is no reason to invoke the criminal justice machinery against such people. It creates a chilling effect. I don’t think this is acceptable to anybody, especially the younger generation.” Adding further, he says, “I would request the younger generation to be very careful about the words they use and the kind of insults or remarks they make against people in general. That said, the use of the criminal justice machinery is a big no-no. It is completely unacceptable and should not happen. We would also like to tell the police to remain calm and not misuse their powers for any political ends.”
VIDEO | Delhi: Reacting to the use of derogatory remarks by CJP protesters, party spokesperson Saurav Das says, “If any language used was derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil and criminal defamation proceedings against the individual concerned.… pic.twitter.com/N7hWEmXkn4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 30, 2026
Noida FIR becomes another flashpoint
Das also commented on an FIR registered against a young woman from Noida for allegedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the protests.
Das said, “One might condemn the use of abusive language during a protest. However, using the criminal justice machinery to target and harass them through the police is absolutely unjustifiable. Since when has using abusive language become a criminal offense in this country? People use such language in everyday life all the time. 50% of the MPs in the Lok Sabha face criminal charges, including heinous ones like rape, murder, and dacoity, yet no action is taken against them. You simply want to single them out and make an example of them. This is utterly condemnable. I once again appeal to the government and its police machinery to stop harassing the youth. Stop targeting young people in this way, and leave this girl alone. Such misuse of the police force in these kinds of cases is completely unacceptable…”
The protesters targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with abusive slogans and remarks because they opposed his government and the policies of his administration. The abuse extended not only to the Prime Minister but also to his late mother. In his remarks, however, Saurav Das argued that while such language may be objectionable, those responsible should not face criminal action merely for using abusive words. His argument effectively suggests that although the abuse was directed at Narendra Modi in his capacity as the Prime Minister, any legal recourse available to him should be pursued only in his individual capacity rather than through the criminal justice machinery.
Organisers distance themselves from violence
Earlier, following the attempted march towards Parliament on 20 May, both Abhijit Dipke and Saurav Das had maintained that individuals involved in vandalism, destruction of public property, stone-pelting or disorder were not part of their protest. According to them, only those who remained at the designated protest venue at Jantar Mantar represented the legitimate protest.
However, the controversy did not end there.
Posters displayed at the main protest site itself carried abusive language directed at the Prime Minister, while multiple videos circulating online also showed participants allegedly using offensive slogans. Journalists covering the agitation, including a woman reporter asking questions from the ground, were also reportedly subjected to abusive remarks by some protesters.
These incidents further fuelled criticism that the movement had drifted significantly from its original objective of highlighting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
Delhi Police register FIR over online content
Delhi Police subsequently registered an FIR concerning abusive and insulting social-media posts aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and security forces during the CJP protests. The complaint referred to the online circulation of “derogatory, malicious and defamatory content” directed at a constitutional authority.
Police requested X (formerly Twitter) to identify the accounts that uploaded the material and to remove the pictures and videos promptly. They also sought personal details of the account holders. Several offensive posts and video clips were taken down after the notices were issued, and cyber teams continue to monitor related online activity.
Protesters issue public apologies
In a related development, several protesters later expressed regret. Journalist Kapil Raut received apologies from participants who had earlier heckled him during live reporting.
A creator who had used abusive language towards the RAF apologised on social media, stating it was her mistake and that she had asked meme makers to delete her videos, adding that because of her language people were even abusing her family members.
Another protester said a few days earlier he had been to the protest and made some mistakes that were not small but blunders; he sincerely apologised and stated that in reality he respects the Prime Minister of the nation.
One creator said, “I am feeling very guilty for abusing people at the protest; I should not have done that, those who got offended for my abuses, I sincerely apologise to them”.
⚡ One minute of fame. A lifetime of regret.
Now they’re apologizing.
CJP’s drama is over but the consequences remain.
Gen Z, think before you follow. pic.twitter.com/7kBGSDkJKg
— Vamshipatel🚩 (@Vamshi_Patel1) July 31, 2026
Another wrote, “Respected PM Modi, I want to apologise to you for my abuses and video which was shared widely. I am ashamed and guilty for what I have said and done; please forgive me. I shouldn’t have done this, please don’t take any action against me,”.
A further comment read, “I did not get into the facts of the claims which were made at the protest and reacted instantly; that’s my mistake. I should not have crossed the boundaries.”
PM Modi forgives abusive students
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 31, appealed for restraint and forgiveness after abusive slogans directed at him during student protests over alleged paper leaks at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar led to a police case against a 25-year-old woman, saying that “abuses never solve anything” and urging society to guide, rather than punish, those who had gone astray.
“What happened at Jantar Mantar has been seen by the country and the world,” he said. “Some misguided youngsters used language that has no place in any civilised society. I was abused, and even my late mother was abused.”
“Abuses never solve anything. Let’s guide the misguided. Let’s work together. Let’s work for Bharat,” the Prime Minister’s video was captioned.
“Mistakes are made in childhood, and childhood also provides an opportunity to correct those mistakes. That is what being young is about,” he said in the video. “There is anger in society, and I understand that. But now is the time to embrace these children and show them the right path. They are misguided children. It is our duty to show them the way. Punishing them, dragging them through courts and harassing them will not change the circumstances.”
The Prime Minister said he wanted to forgive those responsible and appealed to society to do the same.
“I want to forgive them. I request society also to accept what I am saying,” he said. “Abuses never solve anything. Let us guide those who have lost their way. Let us work together. Let us work for Bharat.”
Questions continue to surround the protest’s conduct
What began as a movement centred on alleged examination irregularities has now evolved into a much larger controversy involving protest conduct, allegations of violence, abusive slogans, social media activity, police investigations and a wider constitutional debate.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the episode has sparked a larger national conversation about the character of youth-led movements in a democratic society. The controversy has prompted questions over whether anger and frustration can justify abusive language, confrontational tactics or attempts to breach the limits of a permitted protest. It has also reignited debate over whether future leaders of public movements should possess a sound understanding of India’s constitutional framework, democratic institutions and the responsibilities that accompany the right to dissent.
For many, the episode has become about more than a single protest. It has raised uncomfortable questions about the values expected of India’s youth. Should the next generation of leaders be defined by constitutional literacy, informed debate and peaceful democratic engagement, or by rhetoric, confrontation and social media outrage? While opinions remain divided, the events at Jantar Mantar have undoubtedly ignited a wider discussion on what responsible citizenship, democratic protest and youth leadership should look like in the world’s largest democracy.
