As the country geared up for the 2024 general election and Modi campaigned across the nation for a third term, some of his statements stirred controversy and debates.
While these statements were aimed at criticizing the opposition’s policies, critics of the Prime Minister raised concerns about the divisive nature of his remarks.
A video clip of Modi from a TV interview before the elections has been circulating on social media. In the clip, Modi claimed that the world only became aware of Mahatma Gandhi after Richard Attenborough made a biopic about him in 1982.
He also mentioned that it’s been the duty of political leaders in India for the past 75 years to make sure that Gandhi’s legacy is known worldwide. This suggests that the Gandhi family, who governed India after Independence for many years, might have not done enough in terms of foreign policy and cultural diplomacy.
A clip of Modi’s statement went viral on social media. The INC Kerala Twitter account shared a video showing various global leaders, like Barack Obama and Dalai Lama, praising Gandhi as their inspiration. Some people questioned Modi’s understanding, and jokes started to circulate.