Are Chaiwalas Feeling Left out After Modi’s ‘Chowkidar Campaign’?

Will PM Modi forget the ‘chowkidars’ like he forgot the ‘chaiwalas’?

(Photo: Shruti Mathur/The Quint)

Cameraperson: Shivkumar Maurya
Video Editor: Deepthi Ramdas

As part of his ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with over 25 lakh security guards (chowkidars) across the country on Wednesday, 20 March, via an audio bridge.

The interaction with chowkidars comes a day after party's media head and Rajya Sabha MP, Anil Baluni, noted that Modi will be sharing the "colours of Holi" with watchmen across the country.

Speaking to security guards on the eve of Holi and commending the rising popularity of Indian words in foreign countries, PM Modi said, "Maximum languages across the world have understood the word 'chowkidar'” and that "they all have accepted it in their vocabulary."

Other BJP ministers changed their twitter handles to reflect the prefix ‘chowkidar’, taking after the PM.

You can make ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ your ringtone and change your name to the same on Twitter, but what about the ‘chaiwalas’ PM Modi spoke to before 2014 general elections – what do they have to say about Modi’s latest campaign?

Does the ‘Chowkidar’ Know Who He Is Guarding?

The Quint spoke to the chaiwalas in Delhi to understand if they felt left out. Some of them said they don’t understand why PM Modi uses such tactics, while some said they were ardent PM Modi fans.

“Even if I don’t get a meal a day, I will still vote for Modi. He supports the Indian Army and so do I. I believe in <i>‘main bhi chowkidar’</i>.”

Rohit Bhati, Noida&nbsp;

A tea seller in Noida pointed out how Modi was unsuccessful in trying to stop Nirav Modi from looting people and running away from the country. He also highlighted how his life hasn’t changed one bit in the past five years and that the promises the prime minister made were far from being fulfilled.

Rahul Gandhi responded to the campaign with images of Modi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Anil Ambani and others, and asked if Modi was feeling guilty. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted, saying the campaign was “unworthy of a serious prime minister of a serious country.”

Will PM Modi forget the ‘chowkidars’ like he forgot about the ‘chaiwalas’?