भा
New Delhi: Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has said that every citizen has the constitutional right to express their views and participate in peaceful protests.
However, he said that using abusive or insulting language against the Prime Minister during a protest is not appropriate for an individual, society, or the country’s image.
Bhutia’s comments came after videos from a recent protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi surfaced online. The videos reportedly showed some protesters raising objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Right to Protest, But Respectful Language Matters
Bhaichung Bhutia said people across India have the right to express their opinions and protest peacefully.
He stressed that democratic rights allow citizens to raise their concerns openly. However, he also said that protesters should maintain dignity and restraint in their language.
According to Bhutia, using inappropriate language against the Prime Minister does not benefit individuals, society, or the country.
Bhutia Wants More Opportunities for Young People
Bhutia also spoke about his goal of working with the government and the Prime Minister to connect more young people with sports.
He said greater opportunities should be created for young Indians to participate in sports and develop their skills.
Manu Bhaker Also Urges Young People to Avoid Abusive Language
Earlier, two-time Olympic medallist and shooter Manu Bhaker had also appealed to young people to avoid using abusive language.
In a post on X, she said that a person’s language reflects their personality.
She encouraged young people to choose their words carefully and think about the impact of what they say.
Hard Work and Respect Are the Real ‘Cool’
Manu Bhaker said that using abusive or offensive language should not be considered “cool.”
She encouraged young people to focus on qualities such as:
- Hard work
- Kindness
- Respect
- Honesty
- Responsible behaviour
She said success should come in a way that makes families and the country proud.
PM Modi Appeals to Young People
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the incident in a video message shared on Instagram on Friday.
He said he did not want the young people involved to be punished. Instead, he wanted them to have an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
Modi referred to the incident at Jantar Mantar and said that the events had been seen by people in India and around the world.
He alleged that some young protesters had used highly objectionable language against him and had also made offensive remarks about his late mother.
Modi Says Young People Can Learn From Mistakes
Prime Minister Modi said mistakes can happen during youth.
He urged the young people involved to understand what they had done and avoid repeating such behaviour in the future.
His message focused on learning from mistakes and behaving responsibly.
Balancing Democratic Rights and Responsibility
The comments from Bhaichung Bhutia, Manu Bhaker, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have brought renewed attention to the balance between democratic rights and responsible public expression.
The right to peaceful protest is an important part of democratic society. At the same time, public discussions and protests can be conducted without resorting to abusive or offensive language.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the Jantar Mantar protest has renewed discussion about the right to protest and the importance of respectful public communication.
Bhaichung Bhutia supported the right to peaceful protest while urging people to maintain dignity in their language.
Manu Bhaker and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also encouraged young people to behave responsibly and learn from their mistakes.
