New Delhi: The mother of a 15-year-old girl booked for allegedly making abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an anti-paper leak protest has thanked the Prime Minister for forgiving her daughter, saying his gesture has given the teenager “a second chance” and describing it as the “greatest gift” on her birthday.

Her reaction came a day after PM Modi released a video message saying he forgives children who shouted abusive slogans against him during the recent protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, urging them to learn from their mistakes and work towards the country’s future.

Speaking to PTI, the girl’s mother said the Prime Minister’s decision reflected compassion and generosity.

“PM Modi has shown his greatness by forgiving the child who used such filthy and obscene words. Today is her birthday, and PM Modi has given her the greatest gift—jeevandaan (the gift of life). Today, this girl has been reborn,” she said.

She added that the family’s repeated appeals for forgiveness had finally been answered through the Prime Minister’s public statement.

In the video shared on social media, PM Modi said he did not believe anger or retaliation was the right response to children who had been influenced during the protest.

Drawing an analogy, he said, “Sometimes our tongue comes under our teeth and blood comes out, but we do not break our teeth because the teeth are ours, and the tongue is ours too. The children are also ours.”

He further appealed to students to move forward, learn from their mistakes and contribute positively to the nation.

“Come, let us move forward together for the country. Let us learn even from mistakes. I live for you and work for your bright future,” the Prime Minister said.

In a separate video, the teenager apologised for her remarks, saying she had accompanied friends to the protest after visiting Connaught Place and was influenced by people around her who were raising abusive slogans.

Calling it her “first and last mistake,” she expressed deep regret over the incident.

“I apologise to the entire country. I am so ashamed. I can’t even look at myself. Please forgive me,” she said.

Despite the apology, a complaint was filed against the teenager for allegedly raising derogatory slogans during the July 23 anti-paper leak protest. A Zero FIR was initially registered by Noida Police before being transferred to the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi for further investigation.

According to the complaint, the remarks allegedly insulted the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister and had the potential to disturb public peace.

The girl’s mother said both she and her daughter have repeatedly apologised and appealed for the FIR to be withdrawn. She also claimed that the FIR incorrectly mentioned her daughter’s age as 25 years, even though she is a 15-year-old minor.

Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned whether the legal proceedings against the teenager would also be withdrawn following the Prime Minister’s public statement.

Responding to PM Modi’s social media post, Dipke wrote, “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?)

As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding the withdrawal of the FIR, and the matter remains under investigation.