A teenager accused of raising abusive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the July 23 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has publicly apologised, expressing regret over her conduct and appealing for forgiveness.
The apology surfaced on social media on Friday in the form of a video statement, in which the girl, who identified herself as 15 years old, admitted that she had used inappropriate language against the Prime Minister during the protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
In the video, she claimed she had come under the influence of other participants who were raising abusive slogans at the demonstration.
“I had gone to Connaught Place with my friends, where a protest was taking place. There were several groups there who were abusing Prime Minister Modi. I came under their influence and ended up saying many inappropriate things,” she said.
The teenager said she now realised the seriousness of her actions and regretted what had happened.
‘This is my first and last mistake’
Expressing remorse, the girl said she accepted responsibility for her conduct and promised not to repeat such behaviour in the future.
“I am only 15 years old. Whatever I did was not worthy of forgiveness. This is my first and last mistake, and I will never say or post anything like this again,” she said.
She further apologised to the country, saying she felt ashamed of her actions.
“I sincerely apologise to the entire nation. I am deeply ashamed and cannot even lift my eyes. I seek forgiveness from everyone. Please forgive me,” she added.
The video has since been widely shared across social media platforms.
PM Modi appeals for forgiveness
The teenager’s apology came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the controversy in a video message shared on Instagram.
Referring to the incident at Jantar Mantar, the Prime Minister said the abusive slogans had been witnessed across the country and even internationally.
“Whatever happened at Jantar Mantar has been seen by the entire country and the world. Some misguided youngsters used extremely abusive language, words that do not befit any civilised society. They abused me, and they even abused my late mother,” the Prime Minister said.
Despite the personal nature of the remarks, Modi said he had decided to forgive the youngsters involved.
He observed that mistakes are common during adolescence and youth and that young people should be given an opportunity to learn from them.
“I don’t know what kind of state of mind they were in, but today I want to say that mistakes happen in childhood and youth. And at that stage of life, people also have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. That is what being young is about,” he said.
The Prime Minister urged society not to demand punitive action but instead help guide young people towards responsible behaviour.
“I want to forgive them. I hope society will also accept my appeal. Because I believe that sometimes our tongue gets caught between our teeth. It may bleed, but we do not break our teeth, because the teeth are ours and the tongue is ours. In the same way, these children are ours. It is our duty to guide them. Punishing them, dragging them through court cases, or harassing their families will not change the situation,” he said.
Zero FIR registered
Meanwhile, legal proceedings against the teenager continue.
A Zero FIR was registered against her at Noida’s Expressway Police Station on July 29 in connection with the alleged use of derogatory slogans during the July 23 protest.
The case was subsequently transferred to Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station, which is now conducting the investigation.
According to the complaint, the teenager allegedly used abusive remarks against the Prime Minister during the demonstration.
The complaint alleges that the statements insulted the dignity of a constitutional office and were intended to provoke hostility and disturb public order.
Based on the allegations, police invoked Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The investigation remains underway.
Teen reportedly untraceable
According to reports, the teenager had been living with her mother in a residential society in Noida.
Security personnel at the housing complex reportedly told police that the flat has remained locked and that neither the teenager nor her mother has been seen there since the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Police have not publicly disclosed any further details regarding the investigation.
CJP opposes criminal prosecution
The Cockroach Janta Party, which organised the protest over the alleged NEET paper leak, has objected to the registration of the FIR against the teenager.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said that while objectionable or derogatory language should not be supported, criminal prosecution over such remarks could have wider implications for freedom of expression.
“Objectionable or derogatory language should not be condoned, but criminal prosecution over such remarks would have a chilling effect on free speech,” Das said.
He argued that those who felt aggrieved by the remarks could instead pursue civil or defamation remedies rather than invoking criminal law.
The controversy has triggered a wider debate over the limits of political speech, accountability for offensive expression, and the balance between protecting free speech and maintaining respect for constitutional offices.
