'Came under influence, deeply ashamed': Ruchika Singh apologises for abusive slogans against PM Modi
Ruchika Singh, the teenager facing legal action over allegedly raising abusive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest over the NEET paper leak
Ruchika Singh, the teenager facing legal action over allegedly raising abusive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest over the NEET paper leak at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, has issued a public apology, saying she was "influenced" by others at the demonstration. The apology surfaced on social media on Friday, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had chosen to forgive the students accused of hurling abusive remarks at him and appealed to society to guide them rather than seek punitive action. 'I came under their influence' In the video, Singh, who claimed she is 15 years old, said she attended the protest with friends and was influenced by others who were raising abusive slogans against the prime minister. "I had gone... where a protest was taking place. There were several groups there who were abusing Prime Minister Modi.
I came under their influence and ended up saying many inappropriate things," she said. "This is my first and last mistake, and I will never say or post anything like this again. I sincerely apologise to the entire nation. I am deeply ashamed and cannot even lift my eyes. I seek forgiveness from everyone. Please forgive me," she added. PM Modi says youngsters should get a chance to learn Responding to the controversy in a video message posted on Instagram on Friday, Prime Minister Modi said the country had witnessed what happened at Jantar Mantar, where some "misguided youngsters" used abusive language against him and even his late mother. Rather than calling for strict punishment, Modi said young people often make mistakes and deserve an opportunity to learn from them. "I want to forgive them," he said, urging society not to drag the students or their families into prolonged legal action.
Comparing the episode to a tongue accidentally getting caught between the teeth, he said the youngsters were "our own" and should be counselled rather than ostracised. FIR transferred to Delhi Police Singh is facing legal action after a Zero FIR was registered at Noida's Expressway Police Station on July 29 over the alleged slogans raised during the July 23 protest. The case has since been transferred to Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi, which is investigating the matter. According to the complaint, Singh's remarks insulted the dignity of the office of the prime minister and were intended to promote hostility and disturb public order. Police have invoked Sections 352, 353(1) and 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Salon owner claims she used another name Meanwhile, fresh details have emerged about Singh's stay in Noida. Speaking to Aaj Tak, T P Tripathi, owner of a salon in Noida's Sector 135, claimed Singh had enrolled on May 25 to learn nail art and attended training sessions until June 9.
The BriefWire