Following the intense NEET-related protests across India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the youth in a viral Instagram video, expressing his decision to forgive those who directed personal insults toward him and his mother. Emphasizing that young people often make mistakes, Modi urged society to embrace these youth rather than resorting to harsh legal actions, noting that filing criminal cases against children is not a constructive way to guide the next generation.

This message of reconciliation comes after a 15-year-old girl, Ruchika Singh, faced a severe online backlash and a police FIR for her disparaging remarks during the protests. After initially being misidentified as an adult, the teenager released a tearful apology, admitting she was influenced by others. While some political voices have condemned the state’s aggressive legal pursuit of a minor—pointing out the irony of targeting a teenager while many parliamentarians face far more serious criminal allegations—the PM’s public stance serves as a pivot toward de-escalating the growing tensions surrounding the demonstrations.