After PM Modi Forgives Student Critics, CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke Poses a Sharp Question

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest Instagram video has once again drawn a pointed response from Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who questioned whether the government’s message of forgiveness would be matched by action on the ground.

Hours after PM Modi said he had forgiven students who abused him during the protests over exam paper leaks, Dipke took to the comments section with a sarcastic remark: “Sirf reel par hi maaf karoge ya cases bhi vapas loge?” (Will you forgive them only in a reel, or will you also withdraw the cases?)

The Prime Minister’s video—his fifth Instagram post in a week—addressed the abusive slogans and remarks directed at him during the student protests. Referring to the controversy, including a viral video in which offensive language was used against him, Modi said abuse and punishment were not the answer.

“Some youngsters hurled crude abuses. Words were used that do not befit a civilised society. I was personally abused, and even my late mother was subjected to vile insults,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that he did not want those responsible to face prolonged legal action. “Abuses never solve anything. Punishing them, dragging them through court proceedings, or harassing them—none of this will change the situation. I wish to forgive them… Let’s guide the misguided,” he said.

Modi’s remarks came amid a row over a teenager from Noida being booked for allegedly making abusive comments against the Prime Minister during the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The demonstrations, sparked by allegations of exam paper leaks and irregularities in the education system, eventually culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Dipke has repeatedly targeted the Prime Minister’s recent social media outreach. On Thursday, after Modi posted a selfie-style video praising the passage of the amended anti-paper leak law, the CJP founder mocked the Prime Minister, commenting: “Your skin is brighter than the country’s future.”

With Pradhan’s resignation now behind it, the battle between the CJP and the government has shifted to the fate of criminal cases filed against protesters.

Several states have withdrawn FIRs against students detained during the agitation. However, cases against protesters with criminal antecedents continue to be pursued, a distinction that has fuelled fresh political attacks from the CJP.

The issue has also reached the Supreme Court, which recently directed states to release all minors and protesters without criminal antecedents who were arrested or detained during the CJP-led demonstrations.