Opinion | Why Modi needs to embrace a little political banter
Summary
A stand-up act mimicking Narendra Modi has triggered a political row in India, with the BJP condemning it as disrespectful and the Congress defending it as fair political criticism. The article argues that the ruling party has long normalized crude attacks on opponents and should be able to tolerate jokes in return.
Key Points
- A comedian’s mimicry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress event in Indore sparked outrage from the BJP and a defense from the Congress.
- The article says the BJP has itself helped coarsen India’s political discourse through personal attacks on opponents like Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
- It argues that if the BJP has used harsh mockery against rivals, it cannot object when similar treatment is directed at Modi.
- The piece concludes that Modi and his party should learn to laugh off political jokes rather than cry foul.
