NEW DELHI: “I got a second life,” said the 15-year-old girl who appeared in a viral video allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The teenager was reacting after the PM said the “misguided children” who had allegedly abused him at the Jantar Mantar protest should be forgiven and guided on the right path. She said she never thought she would be forgiven and described the gesture as “a very big thing.” In the video, the teenager said she was overwhelmed after hearing PM Modi’s message.“I am very happy that PM Modi has forgiven me. It is a very big thing for me. In a way, I have got a second life. I made such a big mistake, and I never thought I would be forgiven.I felt that everything was over.”Also read: ‘Wrong name, age in FIR’: Advocate for Noida girl booked over ‘abusive’ video on PM Modi“He forgave me immediately. I started crying because the same person against whom I used such bad words has forgiven me. I used wrong words and forgiving me after that is a very big thing,” she added.Recalling how the incident unfolded, she said she had gone to Connaught Place with friends on July 23 and came across a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.“This incident happened on July 23. I had actually gone to Connaught Place. Then I came to know that a hunger strike was taking place here. Initially, we thought, ‘Why should we go there?’ but later we became curious to know what was happening. So, we went there to see.”“There were several groups there. Many YouTubers were giving people microphones and asking them to speak. They were telling people to say whatever they wanted to say. When they came to me and asked me to say something, I asked what I should say and in what context,” the 15-year-old said.“They said, ‘Say whatever you want to say.’ They told me that something wrong was happening and that I had the freedom to speak. Then I said those things. What I said was very wrong. I apologised and I will continue to apologise until my apology is accepted,” she added.She said she did not make the remarks “unknowingly” but claimed she had been influenced by people around her.Also read: ‘Rs 60,000 salary and US education?’: Why RTI activist sought probe into Abhijeet Dipke family’s finances“I did not use those words unknowingly. I was provoked by people there. A lot of things were happening there, and people were saying many things. I felt that some of those things made sense. Then I spoke accordingly, the way people were speaking and as I was told. I was told that I had the freedom to speak and that the clip would not be posted.”The girl also alleged that she had been receiving threats since the video went viral.“I am receiving threats from unknown numbers. Someone leaked my mobile number. I am being clearly told that wherever they see me, they will rape me and throw me into a drain.”Speaking about the police case, she said officers had continued visiting her home.“The case has not been withdrawn. Police came to my house even today and also came yesterday evening. The police are searching for me everywhere as if I have committed a crime. I only want to say that I am very happy that he (PM Modi) has forgiven me. Please, I will not be able to tolerate all this anymore.”‘Misguided children’In a late-night video message on Friday, PM Modi said it pained him that both he and his late mother had been subjected to “filthy abuses” during the Jantar Mantar protest. However, he said the “misguided children” should be forgiven and guided on the right path.Earlier, in her apology video, the girl said she was “extremely embarrassed and ashamed” and appealed for forgiveness.“I went to Connaught Place with my friends in July. We came across a group of people who were using abusive and objectionable language against the prime minister. They influenced me and encouraged me to repeat those words, and I did.”“I am not able to look anyone in the eye. I appeal to the entire country and everyone to please forgive me. I am only 15 years old. This is my first and last mistake, and I will never repeat such an act again.”The apology video was released after a Zero FIR was lodged against the teenager in Noida. Station house officer Amit Khatri of the Expressway police station said the girl currently lives with her family in Faridabad.
