Why did Modi address Gen Z ‘friends’ in viral reel? Here is what BJP said about PM’s outreach to India’s youth

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi as “friends” in two videos, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday explained why he chose the term for the largely Gen Z crowd and highlighted what the Modi-led government is doing to restore confidence in the country’s education system.

In a post on Instagram, the BJP wrote, “Friends… wasn’t just a message. It was a COMMITMENT. From listening to students’ concerns to introducing stronger laws against paper leaks, PM Modi’s government is working to safeguard merit and restore confidence in the examination system.”

Centre introduces Anti-Paper Leak Bill: Here’s what we know

The party’s social media account also shared a series of images, suggesting that ever since PM Modi released the videos, vowing strict action against those involved in paper leaks, the Centre has proposed a new anti-paper leak bill titled “The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.”

The amendment introduces strict timelines, including:

1. Completion of investigations within two months

2. Special fast-track courts

3. Completion of trials within three months of the filing of a chargesheet

4. Appeals to be ideally decided within three months

5. Dedicated Special Task Forces

6. An increase in the debarment period to eight years

Further, the post reiterated PM Modi’s use of “friends” to address those who stood in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had been protesting since June 20, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the education system, especially after the NEET-UG paper leak incident earlier this year.

The post added that PM Modi, who is Gen Z’s “friend,” has vowed tougher punishments for those involved in paper leaks in the country. These include:

1. Individuals using unfair means could face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.

2. Those involved in organised paper-leak syndicates will face a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment (extendable to 10 years) and a fine of not less than ₹10 crore.

3. If service providers or examination agencies are found to be involved in paper leaks, they could face a fine of up to ₹5 crore and be debarred for eight years.

4. If directors or members of senior management are found to be involved, they could face a minimum imprisonment of five years, extendable to 10 years, along with a fine of ₹5 crore.

Concluding the post, the BJP shared PM Modi’s message to both cheaters and students who take such examinations. To cheaters, the PM said, “Cheating has a higher cost than ever before,” and to honest students, he said, “Your hard work deserves protection.”

CJP protests

PM Modi’s message and the subsequent formation of a special task force and the introduction of the bill came after CJP staged a protest for over a month, starting on June 20, after a NEET-UG paper leak was reported in May, following which several students died by suicide. On June 28, activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest and began his hunger strike, which continued for 26 days before ending in the presence of Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda.

The protest spread to several other states, including Bihar and Maharashtra, after students at the Delhi protest staged a “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, coinciding with the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, following which Delhi Police resorted to a lathi charge and the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd.

On July 25, the Centre agreed to the protesters’ demand, with Dharmendra Pradhan resigning from his post.

The BJP has projected the proposed reforms as proof of the Modi government’s commitment to protecting merit and ensuring fair examinations.