PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday appealed to the youth of Goa to reject abusive language, misinformation and negativity, urging them instead to embrace respectful dialogue and constructive participation in democracy.
In a video message, Sawant praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to recent student protests, saying the Prime Minister had demonstrated the qualities of a true leader by responding with compassion rather than anger despite being targeted with abusive and obscene slogans.
"Despite being subjected to abusive and obscene language during recent protests, he chose not anger, but compassion," Sawant said.
The Chief Minister said the Prime Minister had expressed concern for the young people involved in the protests, believing they had been misled, and had appealed to society to guide them with patience, empathy and understanding rather than hatred.
Using the occasion to address Goa's youth, Sawant urged them not to be influenced by divisive narratives or misinformation.
"I appeal to the youth of Goa to reject abusive language, misinformation and negativity. Let us uphold the values of respectful dialogue, responsible citizenship and constructive participation in democracy," he said.
Sawant further urged young people to channel their energy towards innovation, nation-building and the vision of a Viksit Goa in line with the country's goal of Viksit Bharat rather than allowing ourselves to be diverted by divisive narratives.
Sawant's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Modi appealed for restraint and forgiveness following abusive slogans raised against him during student protests over the alleged paper leak issue at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The Prime Minister had said that "abuses never solve anything" and urged society to guide those who had gone astray instead of responding with punishment.
