The Congress party has sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "playing the victim card" instead of taking responsibility for alleged violence against student protesters. The opposition party's remarks came after the Prime Minister said he had forgiven the youth who abused him during recent protests.
According to The Economic Times, the Congress demanded that the Prime Minister apologise for the "brutality" against student protesters and the trauma caused by repeated examination paper leaks.
Congress Calls PM's Forgiveness Remark an Insult
The Opposition party did not hold back in its response. A Congress MP and general secretary issued a strong statement rejecting the Prime Minister's gesture of forgiveness.
"Late last night, in an act of supreme self-obsession, the prime minister said that he forgave our youth. This is an insult to the nation and to our youth, which has suffered under his government and is legitimately demanding an apology from him." — ETV Bharat
The Congress leader argued that the youth are not seeking forgiveness — they are seeking accountability. The party maintains that the Prime Minister's approach avoids the real issues at hand.
PM's 'Instagram Sabhas' Dismissed as Self-Obsession
The Congress also targeted the Prime Minister's recent outreach efforts through social media. The party dismissed these "Instagram Sabhas" as an exercise in self-promotion rather than genuine engagement with the public.
According to Udayavani, the Congress claimed these digital gatherings are "fooling no one" and do not address the serious concerns raised by students across the country.
The party's statement suggests that the Prime Minister's focus on personal grievances — rather than the issues affecting students — reveals a disconnect from the ground reality.
Demand for Apology Over Student Brutality
At the heart of the Congress's criticism is a demand for a formal apology. The party wants the Prime Minister to acknowledge the alleged excessive force used against student protesters and the distress caused by repeated examination paper leaks.
The Congress maintains that these are legitimate grievances that require a direct response from the government, not deflection or personal narratives about being wronged.
The party's position is clear: the Prime Minister should address the allegations of brutality and the examination paper leak issue head-on, rather than framing himself as the victim of abuse.
Our Take: Accountability Matters More Than Forgiveness
To put it plainly, the Congress has raised a fair point. When citizens — especially students — have serious complaints about how they have been treated, the expectation is that leaders respond to those complaints directly.
The Prime Minister's decision to talk about forgiveness shifts the conversation away from the actual allegations. Whether the claims of brutality are fully accurate or not, the public deserves a clear response on the merits of those claims, not a narrative about personal hurt.
The "Instagram Sabhas" criticism also carries weight. In an age where digital outreach is common, the question is whether these platforms are being used for genuine dialogue or simply for controlled messaging. The Congress's scepticism reflects a broader concern about the quality of public engagement.
Ultimately, the ball is now in the government's court. The Congress has made its demand — an apology for alleged brutality and a response on the exam paper leaks. How the Prime Minister responds will determine whether this becomes a moment for accountability or just another round of political point-scoring.
