A political row sharpened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had forgiven students who used abusive language against him and his mother. Raj Thackeray responded by saying the prime minister should also address the abusive language used by BJP-linked trolls.
Raj Thackeray’s remarks turned the focus from the prime minister’s statement to the conduct of online supporters in political debate. His criticism suggested that calls for civility should apply not only to opponents and protesters, but also to those who back the ruling party on social media.
The issue also drew in Uddhav Thackeray, who demanded apologies from Narendra Modi and Amit Shah over violence connected to protests. That widened the exchange beyond social media behavior and into the broader question of political responsibility during tense public confrontations.
Taken together, the comments highlight an increasingly bitter atmosphere in Indian politics, where arguments over protests, online abuse and accountability are colliding. The latest exchanges involving Modi, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are likely to keep the debate alive over who should be held responsible for toxic rhetoric and unrest.
