When protest crosses the line
Freedom of speech is one of democracy’s greatest strengths. The right to protest is equally vital. But neither right grants a licence to descend into abuse, vulgarity and personal attacks.
The recent events at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar have reignited an uncomfortable question: When did political protest become synonymous with verbal abuse?
Videos circulating from the demonstration showed protesters using expletives not only against Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also dragging his late mother into the sloganeering. Whatever one’s political beliefs, targeting a deceased family member crosses a line that most civil societies recognise as basic decency.
Disagree with policies. Challenge the government. Demand accountability. That is democracy.
But when slogans devolve into obscenity aimed at an individual’s family, the protest risks losing the moral authority it claims to possess.
What exactly was achieved?
The organisers described the movement as a fight for justice. Yet much of the public conversation shifted away from the original issue and towards the abusive language that dominated parts of the protest.
Instead of debating policy, the nation was debating profanity.
That is a strategic failure as much as it is a moral one.
Selective outrage?
Many of the voices associated with the protest have, over the years, positioned themselves as advocates of dignity, gender sensitivity and respectful public discourse. Some have been vocal campaigners against online abuse directed at women.
That makes an obvious question unavoidable.
If respect for women is a principle, shouldn’t it apply universally?
When a political opponent’s mother is dragged into abusive slogans, does that suddenly become acceptable because of ideological differences?
Respect cannot be selective.
One cannot condemn misogyny when directed at one group while remaining silent—or worse, participating—when it targets another.
If dignity is a value, it cannot depend on party affiliation.
Young voices, old problems
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect was the age of some participants.
One of the individuals booked later publicly apologised, saying she was only 15 years old and asking for forgiveness.
That apology deserves to be acknowledged.
But it also raises a larger concern.
Who normalised this language in the first place?
Children do not invent political abuse in a vacuum. They imitate what they repeatedly hear, see and are encouraged to celebrate.
If obscenity becomes applause-worthy activism, society should not be surprised when teenagers believe it is an acceptable form of political expression.
Protest without poison
History remembers the most successful protest movements not because they shouted the loudest, but because they stood on moral conviction.
India’s freedom movement drew strength from ideas, sacrifice and discipline—not from abusing opponents’ families.
A democracy grows stronger through disagreement.
It grows weaker when disagreement is replaced by dehumanisation.
Political leaders across party lines have every right to be criticised. Their decisions should be scrutinised relentlessly.
But family members—particularly those who are no longer alive—should never become targets in political battles.
The bigger question
- Every generation chooses the political culture it wants to leave behind.
- Do we want young Indians to believe that abuse is activism?
- Is that vulgarity courage?
- That insulting someone’s mother is political expression?
- Or do we want them to believe that even the fiercest criticism can coexist with basic human decency?
Because once public discourse abandons those boundaries, democracy itself becomes poorer.
Abuses never solve anything.
Let’s guide the misguided.
Let’s work together.
Let’s work for Bharat. pic.twitter.com/yAePG60KYL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 31, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response in his video message struck a noticeably restrained tone. Rather than calling for retribution over the abusive slogans directed at him during the protest, he remarked that “abuses never solve anything” and urged people to focus on constructive dialogue. The episode also serves as a reminder of the resilience of India’s democratic framework.
In many countries with genuinely authoritarian governments, protests involving personal abuse of the head of government can invite swift and severe crackdowns. In India, however, people continue to exercise their right to protest, criticise and challenge those in power. That freedom also brings responsibility: dissent is a democratic right, but preserving civility and respect in public discourse is equally essential for a healthy democracy.
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