“Jai, Jai Modi, Har, Har Modi”: ‘Modi Chalisa’ at Press Club of India Goes Viral; Clarification Issued, But What Are We Teaching the Next Generation?

What happens when political admiration crosses the line into worship? The question has returned to public debate after visuals from the Press Club of India showed a cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being worshipped with an aarti, followed by the recitation of a “Bhagwan Shri Narendra Modi Chalisa” and chants of “Jai, Jai Modi, Har, Har Modi.” The Press Club has since said it did not organise the event, but still the images have opened up a wider conversation about politics, faith and the way India’s next generation is learning to look at power.

What happened at the Press Club of India?

The incident took place on Thursday, August 20, at the Press Club of India. Four to five people were seen performing an aarti in front of a cutout of Modi dressed in a deity-like manner, with a bow, in videos posted on social media. The participants were seen chanting the so-called Modi Chalisa and raising slogans such as “Jai, Jai Modi, Har, Har Modi” and a banner at the venue read the words “Bhagwan Shri Narendra Modi Chalisa”. The event was organised by members associated with the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board..

The venue was the source of the controversy, which rapidly escalated. The Press Club of India is not a regular event hall. It is one of the nation's most visible places that are linked with journalists, public discussion and political thought. So it was only natural that criticism should have been raised when pictures of the sitting Prime Minister being worshipped emerged from its doors.

But the Press Club was fast to disavow itself of the programme. In a clarification, it stated that the hall was rented by an organisation for a press conference, and the organisers had violated the conditions of the rental agreement. The Club's authorities intervened and halted the event, the Club said. This is a clarification that is important. The viral images do not prove that the Press Club endorsed or organised the worship, as they only show what took place within the premises.

Why are people criticising the “Modi Chalisa”?

The criticism is not just on one group's praise of Narendra Modi. Passionate supporters of Indian politics, huge cut-outs, slogans, songs and even temples of political personalities have always been a part of Indian politics. This episode is unique in that it is a deliberate use of religious language and ritual around a serving political leader.

Traditionally a devotional hymn dedicated to a deity is called a chalisa. The title itself “Bhagwan Shri Narendra Modi Chalisa” puts the Prime Minister in that devotional mode. The cut-out of Modi as Lord Ram and the aarti further enriched the symbolism. This is where the debate goes beyond Narendra Modi.

A democracy needs citizens who can admire a leader, disagree with a leader and, when necessary, question a leader. It's not the same as treating a political personality as a person who can't be criticized. When political allegiance begins to supplant the language of religious devotion, criticism can begin to feel like disrespect or an assault on faith. It's a perilous path for any democracy not to take.

The proposed ₹112-crore Modi temple

The controversy was not over. Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board vice-president Rajan Singh told PTI that the board was preparing to construct a temple in honour of “Lord Shri Narendra Modi ji”. Singh said that the proposed temple would need about five acres of land and cost ₹112 crore. It was meant to be a tribute to the efforts of the Modi government towards rights and opportunities for the transgender community, he said.

Singh also alleged that the proposed temple would have a gold statue of Modi, which would be as tall as the Prime Minister. He also said the Bihar government would give land and money, but reports indicated that he did not give any proof of that. His argument is simple: If a government has done something good for a community, why shouldn't the community respond in the manner it sees fit?

It's a fair question of personal expression. Admiring or despising a public figure is a right of all people, but there is another equally valid question: should one be grateful to an elected representative and be a deifier of that representative? The two questions can co-exist. 

The lesson India's young generation should not miss

This is definitely the most crucial aspect of the modi chalisa controversy. Young Indians are being raised in a political atmosphere that is not just in newspapers, on TV or in election speeches, but in reels, memes, fan pages, short videos and viral images. The “Modi Chalisa” video may be seen by a child before they know what Parliament does, what is an Opposition and why an elected government should be questioned.

That makes political culture itself a form of education.The lesson is not that young people can't admire Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal or any other political leader. They can. Political engagement is good, in fact. The issue starts when admiration takes the place of examination.

The next generation must be taught that the power of a Prime Minister comes from the Constitution and the democratic system, not from his or her divinity. A leader is not necessarily a worshipped one. Policies can be commended without rendering the policymaker infallible. Differences of opinion with a Government do not necessarily imply a lack of respect for the country. That distinction may sound simple. In an increasingly personality-driven political environment, it is becoming more important than ever.

Politics requires citizens, not followers

The place of the incident is also a bit ironic. There is a press club that exists around an idea that is almost the opposite of unquestioning devotion: ask questions.

Journalism is founded on curiosity, verification, and the question of a powerful person, “Why?” The citizens need to have the same attitude for a healthy democracy. The Prime Minister may be worthy of respect for the position. His backers might be right in claiming that he has changed the country. His government may point to policies that have helped particular communities. All that can be argued. But no elected leader is so sacred that questioning him is socially unacceptable.

The Press Club's decision to discontinue the programme because of the violation of the rental terms is a solution to the immediate problem. But the bigger question is one for society: Do we have a generation that can select its leaders or simply learn to worship its leaders?

That should be the debate that the viral “Modi Chalisa” should leave behind. Not whether one political leader is worthy of applause, but whether India's democracy is robust enough to allow admiration without turning it into devotion.