‘Andolan Jeevi’, ‘Urban Naxal’, ‘Khan Market Gang’, ‘Dimaagi Naxal’ and ‘Tukde Tukde Gang’. Suffice to say, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never been shy of slapping these labels on his critics and opponents. But as he turns 76, we offer one of our own: ‘Event Jeevi’, for a prime minister who turns every occasion into an event.
In this explainer, we trace a distinct pattern. Whether it’s taking office or celebrating five, eight, nine, ten or twelve years in office or becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister, each event came with a celebration. Foreign tours end in airport welcomes, state visits in inaugurations and felicitations, and even appointment letters are handed over as spectacles. Even in times of crisis, like during COVID-19, as thousands walked hundreds of kilometres to get back home while the state abandoned them, he called on citizens to bang plates. It’s hard not to scoff at the ridiculousness of it all.
