A fresh controversy has erupted over the police case filed against a young woman accused of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das has come out in her defence, questioning whether offensive language should be treated as a criminal offence.
The woman was allegedly seen making objectionable remarks about PM Modi in a video that surfaced on social media following the July 23 protest. Police said a case was registered after a Ghaziabad resident approached the Expressway police station in Noida with a complaint.
According to the complaint, the woman allegedly used abusive and objectionable language against the Prime Minister and his mother. The complainant alleged that the remarks were made publicly and could affect the dignity of a constitutional office and disturb public peace.
Saurav Das questions the police action
Reacting to the case, Saurav Das strongly criticised what he described as the use of the criminal justice system against a young protester.
In a post on X, Das argued that while abusive language may be condemnable, it should not automatically result in a criminal case. He also questioned the decision to use police machinery against a 25-year-old woman.
“Since when has using abusive language become a criminal offence in this country?” Das said while speaking to ANI.
He further alleged that protesters were being targeted and harassed through the police and called for an end to what he described as the misuse of criminal machinery.
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‘Stop targeting young people’
Das said that the government and police should avoid targeting young people involved in protests.
“This is utterly condemnable,” he said, while appealing to authorities to stop what he called harassment of youth.
He maintained that people may strongly disagree with the language used during a protest, but believed that the response should not amount to unnecessary harassment.
His comments have added another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the CJP-led protests, which have already seen heated exchanges between protesters, political leaders and public figures.
What does the police complaint allege?
The case originated after Smriti Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad, approached Noida police and filed a complaint against the woman.
The complainant alleged that the woman’s remarks were abusive and objectionable and claimed they were intended to spread hatred and disturb public peace. Singh also told Hindustan Times that videos of the woman were circulating online and that she had verified her identity through social media before approaching the police.
Police subsequently registered a Zero FIR in Noida and transferred it to the Parliament Street police station in New Delhi for further investigation.
A Zero FIR allows a complaint to be registered at any police station regardless of jurisdiction before being transferred to the police station that has jurisdiction over the alleged offence.
Debate over protest speech continues
The incident has once again raised questions about the limits of speech during political protests. While freedom of expression allows people to criticise political leaders and governments, the use of allegedly abusive or defamatory language can lead to legal questions depending on the circumstances and the specific provisions invoked.
For now, the investigation into the case is underway. Das, meanwhile, continues to argue that the police action amounts to targeting a young protester.
The controversy comes at a time when the CJP protests have already generated intense political and public debate, with supporters demanding accountability on issues concerning students and protesters, while critics have questioned the language and conduct of some participants.
As the case moves forward, the focus will now remain on the investigation and whether the allegations made against the woman are supported by evidence.
