Amid PM Modi’s press, Gul Panag slams Dhruv Rathee: ‘I don’t think it’s okay to joke on foreign soil’ | Today’s news
Actor Gul Panag has slammed YouTuber Dhruv Rathee for a social media post condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to Rathee’s post stating that “Modi deserved to be humiliated everywhere he goes”, the actress argued that the freedom to dislike a political party or the Prime Minister is a democratic right, but “reducing the office of the Prime Minister of India to a joke on foreign soil does not strike me as the right thing to do or dissent”.
“Modi deserves to be humiliated everywhere he goes. In the 12 years since he became prime minister, he has not held a single press conference. He does not meet the basic requirements of transparency and accountability of a leadership position.”
I would encourage foreign journalists from other European countries to ask him questions wherever they see him, just like @HelleLyngSvends. To embarrass him so much that he is forced to show some responsibility in front of people. You will do a great service for the progress of India,” Rathee wrote on X.
The YouTuber’s remarks came in the wake of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Norway, during which he left after a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stør. Journalist Helle Lyng called him and asked: “Why don’t you ask the freest press in the world a few questions? but he got no answer.”
The incident quickly sparked a political backlash in India, with the opposition, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, criticizing Modi for the episode, saying, “When there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing to fear.”
Gul Panag answers
Quoting Rathee’s post on X, Gul Panag wrote: “It’s not cool. You can dislike the PM, disagree with the government, protest, debate and vote differently. That’s democracy. But to reduce the Indian Prime Minister’s office, the person, the office and what he stands for abroad to a joke on foreign soil doesn’t feel right or the best or it’s against me, it diminishes us, an institution.”
Social media users react
Gul Panag’s post received more than 113,000 views, with many users supporting her stance, while others joined the wider debate about political criticism and representation of the country abroad.
In response to Panago’s post, one user wrote: “You said what we should have heard from everyone a long time ago.” Another user supported her comments by saying: “Yes, I agree with you.”
A third user praised the actor for her reaction, commenting: “Thank you for keeping our country dignified.” However, some users seem to be divided on the issue. Reflecting the mixed reactions surrounding the debate, one user wrote: “I’m just confused as to whose side I’m on.”
