India’s Modi announces to ‘quit social media’

Says he is ‘giving up’ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to quit social media, including the popular micro-blogging site Twitter, where he has more than 53 million followers.

It’s not immediately clear what prompted Modi to say goodbye to social media, but his BJP government has been under scathing criticism for the recent pogrom against Muslims in New Delhi.

Writing on his official Twitter handle, Modi said: “This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Will keep you all posted.”

This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2020

The announcement set off speculation about if the Indian premier really means what he said or it was a teaser to something else.

Modi’s political rivals advised him to also ask his followers to give up social media. “PM, it's your fans and partymen that encourage genocide by spreading lies on their social media accounts. Please ask all of them also to give up. At-least then, we won't go to stage 9 and India can once again hope to become a peaceful progressive country,” wrote Anil Srivastava of the opposition Congress party.

PM, it's your fans and partymen that encourage genocide by spreading lies on their social media accounts.

Please ask all of them also to give up.

At-least then, we won't go to stage 9 and India can once again hope to become a peaceful progressive country. pic.twitter.com/nmeYRJSJlx

— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) March 2, 2020

In another tweet, Srivastava called it a gimmick to take the spotlight of Delhi carnage. “Also, we know this your "Digital Detox" gimmick to divert attention from the Delhi Violence. This is all you know to do. One gimmick after another like Good governance day, Yoga Day and now Digital Detox day. If only this much effort you had put for Economy and society,” he wrote.

Also, we know this your "Digital Detox" gimmick to divert attention from the Delhi Violence.

This is all you know to do. One gimmick after another like Good governance day, Yoga Day and now Digital Detox day.

If only this much effort you had put for Economy & society.

— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) March 2, 2020

“Give up hatred, not social media accounts,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi quipped.

Give up hatred, not social media accounts. pic.twitter.com/HDymHw2VrB

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 2, 2020