Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message on July 31 stating he wants to forgive students who used abusive language against him and his late mother during protests at Jantar Mantar over NEET irregularities.
Mr Modi said the incidents at the July 20 and July 25 protests were witnessed by the country and the world. He described the students as misguided children and said abuses never solve anything.
"I want to forgive them," Mr Modi said in the video posted on his X and Instagram handles. He added that the time had come to guide the youth and show them the right path rather than involve them in police and court proceedings.
Congress responded on the same day. Party leader Pawan Khera posted that the country was asking the Prime Minister to apologise but he had instead forgiven the country. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said Mr Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should not threaten Gen Z into silence.