Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Monday, 2 March, with a somewhat cryptic tweet, saying, “This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted.”
Whether the PM is thinking of quitting social media for good or just for Sunday is not clear.
Modi posted the same announcement in a text-based photo on Instagram.
Modi on Social Media: A Glimpse
Modi has an active presence across the various social media platforms, which he has effectively used to convey his government’s policy decisions.
The prime minister is the third-most followed leader on Twitter with 53.3 million followers, after former US president Barack Obama and the current US president Donald Trump.
Modi also has 35.2 million followers on photo-sharing platform Instagram, and 44.7 million on Facebook. He also has 4.51 million subscribers on video-based platform YouTube.
'Give up Hatred, Not Social Media Accounts': Rahul Gandhi
Soon after Modi's post, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the prime minister's announcement, with Gandhi asking Modi to give up hatred rather than his accounts.
Surjewala directed attention to the array of Modi-supporting social media trolls, asking Modi to pass the same advice to them as well.
BSP President Mayawati said people are “apprehensive” about PM Modi’s announcement and that “they find this step to be a more political and selfish attempt to divert public attention from the shortcomings of their party and government.”
NCP leader Nawab Malik said, “Some leaders are also talking about giving up (social media). The country will turn peaceful if all bhakts give it up.”
Wife of former Maharashtra Chief minister Amruta Fadnavis said that she too will “follow the path of her leader” and quit social media if PM Modi does.
#NoSir, Say Twitterati, Urge PM Modi to Not Quit
Soon after Modi's tweet, #NoSir began trending on Twitter India, as users used the hashtag to give their two cents regarding the prime minister's social media break plans.
Many, like Amruta Fadnavis, too said that they will quit social media if PM Modi does too.
Using pop culture references and memes, Twitter users both mourned and joked about Modi's announcement.
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