New Delhi, August 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged authorities and society to adopt a compassionate approach toward students who participated in nationwide protests over the national examination paper leak, saying that punishment alone would not resolve the underlying issues.

In a video shared on social media on Friday, Modi said he wanted to forgive students who shouted abusive slogans against him during the demonstrations. He emphasized that young people involved in the protests had been “misled” and deserved guidance rather than prolonged legal action.

“These are misled children. Showing them the right path is our duty. Punishing them, making them run around courts, or tormenting them in society will not change the situation,” Modi said. “I want to forgive them. I hope society also accepts this stance of mine.”

The protests marked the most significant political challenge of Modi’s third term in office. Public anger intensified after the leak of national examination papers forced nearly 2 million students to retake the test, raising widespread concerns about transparency, accountability, and the limited opportunities available to India’s youth.

Demonstrations took place across several parts of the country, including the national capital, New Delhi. In some locations, clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel as demonstrators attempting to march toward Parliament were dispersed with tear gas and baton charges. Authorities subsequently registered cases against hundreds of protesters.

The self-described Cockroach Janta Party, which helped organize the movement, claimed that “hundreds” of students had been arrested in various states despite the government’s commitment to withdraw police cases against demonstrators.

Following weeks of sustained protests, the demonstrations came to an end after the resignation of the Education Minister and the government’s acceptance of the protesters’ key demands. These included reforms to the national examination system and the withdrawal of legal cases against participating students.

The controversy has also prompted the government to introduce a bill in Parliament proposing amendments to the law governing public examinations. The legislation seeks stricter penalties for those responsible for examination paper leaks, including longer prison sentences and higher financial fines, as part of efforts to strengthen the integrity of India’s examination system.

While Modi’s remarks signal a conciliatory tone toward student protesters, questions remain over the implementation of the government’s promises, particularly regarding the withdrawal of police cases and broader reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the country’s examination system.