Manu Bhaker’s Post on Language Choice Goes Viral

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has sparked a conversation online after sharing her thoughts on the power of language, following a controversy over a video showing young protesters allegedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a recent demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protest was linked to alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

PM Modi calls for compassion over punishment

Responding to the incident, Modi said that both he and his late mother had been targeted with abusive remarks during the protests. However, he chose not to pursue legal action against the demonstrators, describing them instead as “misguided children” who deserved guidance rather than punishment. In a late-night video message posted on Instagram, the Prime Minister acknowledged the frustration simmering in society but stressed that this was a moment to bring young people closer rather than push them away. He used the analogy of accidentally biting one’s own tongue, saying people don’t cut off their teeth for it — just as society shouldn’t distance itself from its youth. Modi urged young people to own up to their mistakes and treat them as opportunities for growth.

Bhaker defines what being “cool” really means

Reacting to the episode, Bhaker took to social media to remind young people that words carry weight. She wrote that the language a person uses reflects their personality, and that people gradually become what they think, say and practise. Pushing back against the idea that using abusive language makes someone appear “cool,” Bhaker offered her own definition — being hardworking, kind, respectful, and honest, while striving to make one’s parents and country proud. Her post has since resonated widely online, with many praising her measured take on the ongoing debate.