Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed a willingness to forgive students who directed abusive language at him during protests last month, emphasizing that punitive measures and repeated court summons would not improve the situation.

The unrest reached a peak in July following the leak of national examination papers, which led to a mandatory retest for approximately two million students. This incident heightened public frustration over the perceived shortage of opportunities for young people in the country.

Authorities responded by filing legal cases against hundreds of demonstrators, some of whom engaged in clashes with security personnel and shouted expletives aimed at the prime minister. Modi described the protesters as "misled children" and stated that it was the responsibility of the government to guide them correctly.

He indicated a preference for reconciliation over retribution, suggesting that showing leniency would be more constructive than imposing harsh punishments. The prime minister’s comments come amid a broader debate on balancing law enforcement with understanding the grievances of India’s youth during a politically sensitive period.