PM Modi Says ‘Thinking of Giving Up Social Media’, Rahul Weighs In

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.”

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

Whether the PM is thinking of quitting social media for good or just for Sunday is not clear.

View this post on Instagram

Will keep you all posted.

A post shared by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) on Mar 2, 2020 at 8:03am PST

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.

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

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 2, 2020

Surjewala directed attention to the array of Modi-supporting social media trolls, asking Modi to pass the same advice to them as well.

Respected Modi ji,

Earnestly wish you would give this advise to the concerted army of trolls, who abuse-intimidate-badger-threaten others every second in you name!

Sincere Regards,
Citizens of India. https://t.co/hGtf64Fyf9

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 2, 2020

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.”

पीएम श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी द्वारा सोशल मीडिया से पूरी तरह से अलग होने की कल की गई घोषणा काफी सुर्खियों में है। लेकिन लोग आशंकित हैं व उन्हें इनका यह कदम वास्तव में इनकी पार्टी व सरकार की कमियों पर से जनता का ध्यान बांटने का एक और राजनीतिक स्वार्थ भरा प्रयास ही ज्यादा लगता है।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 3, 2020

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.”

कल मोदी जी ने सोशल मीडिया रविवार से छोड़ने के संकेत दिए हैं कुछ नेता भी छोड़ने की बात कर रहे हैं अगर सारे भक्तों ने छोड़ दिया तो देश शांत हो जाए गा,
मोदी जी का फैसला देश हित में होगा हम स्वागत करते हैं मोदी जी फैसला लें। #ModiQuitsSocialMedia

— Nawab Malik نواب ملک नवाब मलिक (@nawabmalikncp) March 3, 2020

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.

Sometimes it’s the smallest decision that can change our life forever ! I will follow the path of my leader !! https://t.co/D7l1iZcosS

— AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) March 2, 2020

#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.

pic.twitter.com/WPYpSy5z4W

— अंकित जैन (@indiantweeter) March 2, 2020

just remove ur whatsapp dp like the rest of us https://t.co/hwaKy806av

— nirzary (@nirzary) March 2, 2020

Mitron, sunday raat 8 baje se Twitter, Facebook, Instagram aur YouTube legal nahi rahega. Launching new social network with nano GPS chip technology.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 2, 2020

Nahi ho paayega. Main khud 3-4 baar try kar chuka hun

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) March 2, 2020

प्रधानसेवक जी! सोशल मीडिया की प्राणवायु हैं आप।कृपया पुनर्विचार करें।मत छोड़ें सोशल मीडिया।हम अभिभावकहीन हो जाएंगे।#modiji #PrimeMinister#nosir #PMModi

— Pavan Kumar Singh (@OnlyPavanKumar) March 2, 2020

If you r planning to launch a made in India app then I will follow u and leave twitter and follow ur path#PMModi #NarendraModi #ModiJi #modihaitomumkinhai https://t.co/JH7Rh6Nhd3

— VernacularTube🗨 (@vernaculartube) March 2, 2020

#PMModi’s fandom is a magical phenomenon like no other. this is about the love of family of 130 billion people of India,

This Sunday we wish that you would change your mind on quiting social media!#NoSir #NarendraModi #ModiJi

pic.twitter.com/G2rr50mP0c

— Geetika Swami (@SwamiGeetika) March 2, 2020

#PMModi’s fandom is a magical phenomenon like no other. this is about the love of family of 130 billion people of India,

This Sunday we wish that you would change your mind on quiting social media!#NoSir #NarendraModi #ModiJi

pic.twitter.com/G2rr50mP0c

— Geetika Swami (@SwamiGeetika) March 2, 2020

I think #ModiJi is unhappy with the way SM platforms are misused for spreading hatred and executing a certain agenda. Very few times a healthy discussion happens here.If we can use #SM for a constructive purpose there is no harm. #YesSir @PMOIndia #PMModi https://t.co/HQyM4ywSQR

— Dattaniket Vasekar (@vasekarsir) March 2, 2020