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 share 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', it seems as if they all have accepted it in their vocabulary."
"You must have noticed that these days everywhere it is you who is being discussed, be it TV or social media, be it in India or abroad. Today, every Indian is saying Main bhi Chowkidaar,” he added.
PM Modi during his interaction also took a jibe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi who has repeatedly called the PM as "Chowkidar Chor Hai" (the security guard is a thief).
“Some people are abusing chowkidar, bringing every watchman under cloud. They lacked guts to name me, Modi said in an apparent attack on Gandhi.
Modi to Interact with People on 31 Mar Over 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' Campaign
On Tuesday, 19 March, it was also announced that PM Modi will interact with people who have pledged their support to the campaign, from 500 places across the country.
As per a PTI report, the event will take place on 31 March.
Lauding the initiative, BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said the campaign has become a "people's movement" as the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' hashtag has been tweeted 20 lakh times and had 1,680 crore impressions.
In Modi’s Wednesday’ interaction, Baluni had stated that the PM’s initiative was aimed at highlighting the works of people and promoting BJP's credo of 'sabka saath sabka vikas' (With all, development for all).
Many also viewed the campaign as a mock to Congress President Rahul Gandhi who has
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Kejriwal Says Vote for Modi to Make Your Child 'Chowkidar'
Taking a dig at the campaign, AAP President and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said if people want their children to become watchmen, they should vote for PM Modi.
"If people want good education, they should vote for his party," Kejriwal added.
Further reacting to the campaign, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India on Wednesday urged people to guard distressed animals as "chowkidars".
"Animals need all the chowkidars they can get and of course, it's our fundamental duty as Indian citizens to ensure that animal-protection laws are followed and to have compassion for animals, as mandated by our Constitution," PTI reported quoting PETA India associate director Sachin Bangera.
Prior to PM’s interaction, Gandhi on Wednesday reacted to the campaign and said Modi is indulging in ‘mediocrity’ in a highly sophisticated country.
Speaking with the students of Manipur State Film Development Society in Manipur, Gandhi said, "The Prime Minister's Office is now a Publicity Minister's Office."
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