Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest attempt to reach out to students through Instagram has opened a fresh political debate, with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke asking whether the government’s message of forgiveness would also extend to students facing criminal cases over the recent nationwide protests.On Friday, PM Modi posted his fifth Instagram video in a week, addressing the controversy over abusive remarks made against him during the student protests. Referring to viral videos from the demonstrations, Modi said he and even his late mother had been subjected to offensive language.“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.However, the PM added that punishment alone would not resolve the issue. “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.Within minutes, Dipke responded in the comments section of the video, asking, “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 exchange comes as legal action against student protesters has emerged as the latest point of confrontation between the CJP and the government following the nationwide protests over examination paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the education system, which eventually led to the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Earlier, the PM had released a selfie-style Instagram video welcoming the passage of the amended anti-paper leak law, which introduces stricter punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks. Reacting to that post, Dipke had remarked, “Your skin is brighter than the country’s future.”The dispute has now shifted from the protests to the cases registered against those who participated in the demonstrations.Dipke and other CJP leaders have alleged that students are being harassed and threatened with arrest, warning that the party would launch a larger protest if the issue was not addressed.According to the CJP, although several states have withdrawn FIRs against student protesters, cases involving protesters with criminal antecedents continue to be pursued. The matter also comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court directing states to release all minors and those without any criminal antecedents who were arrested or detained during the CJP-led protests.The issue gained fresh attention after the Noida police registered a zero FIR against a 15-year-old girl seen in videos making abusive remarks against the Prime Minister during the protests. The case has since been transferred to the Delhi Police.Following the police action, the teenager released an apology video, saying she had been influenced by people around her who were raising abusive slogans. Calling it her “first and last mistake”, she said, “I am only 15 years old. Whatever I did was not worthy of forgiveness. I have said a lot of bad things.”The police action triggered a sharp response from the CJP. While stating that abusive language should not be condoned, party spokesperson Saurav Das argued that criminal prosecution over such remarks would have a “chilling effect on free speech”.Dipke also questioned why similar legal action had not been taken against BJP leaders or members of the party’s IT cell over what he described as objectionable remarks in the past. Referring to an earlier video involving Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he asked, “The CM of Uttar Pradesh had a video, where he had abused a cameraperson… Are there two laws in this country? There is a separate law for youth and a separate law for the BJP and their leaders.”AISA: No apology for protest languageAISA president Neha, who had observed a 23-day hunger strike, has refused to apologise for or condemn the cuss-laden denunciations of the Centre made by many agitators, and accused critics of trying to divert attention from the alleged use of pellet guns and police action on protesters.Demanding Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation, she said the movement had evolved into a wider campaign seeking accountability from the Centre over the alleged police action on July 20.