The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has questioned the registration of an FIR against a Noida-based girl accused of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the NEET paper leak protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The party argued that while offensive language can be criticised, invoking criminal proceedings over such remarks is not justified.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das asked whether using abusive language had become a criminal offence in the country. He also claimed that several elected representatives face criminal cases, yet similar action is not taken against them. According to Das, filing FIRs in such cases appears to single out individuals and create examples rather than address larger issues.
Calling the move “utterly condemnable”, Das appealed to the government and law enforcement agencies to stop targeting young people. He said the police should avoid misusing criminal provisions in cases involving speech that does not incite violence.
In a post on social media platform X, Das further argued that profanity alone should not be treated as a criminal offence. He stated that speech which does not cross the threshold of incitement should be countered with more speech rather than legal action, adding that what one person finds offensive may not necessarily be viewed the same way by others.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the FIR and questioned whether there were different standards for different groups. In a video shared by the party, Dipke asked why similar legal action had not been taken against individuals allegedly linked to the BJP’s IT cell who, according to him, had used objectionable language against women online over the years.
Dipke alleged that many such social media users openly identified themselves with the BJP while posting abusive content against women. He questioned why complaints had not been filed against those individuals if abusive language was being treated as a criminal matter.
The controversy began after a Zero FIR was registered at the Expressway Police Station in Noida against a girl accused of using abusive and objectionable language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest held at Jantar Mantar on July 23. The complaint was filed by a Ghaziabad resident under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to intentional insult, statements conducive to public mischief, and defamation. Police said the Zero FIR would be transferred to New Delhi Police for further investigation.
The issue gained further attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the controversy in a video message shared on social media. While describing the language allegedly used during the protest as unacceptable in a civilised society, the Prime Minister said he forgave the students involved, calling them “misguided children” who needed guidance instead of prolonged legal action or punishment. He appealed to society to help reform them rather than seek retribution.
