In a democracy, silence is not golden—it is dangerous. Narendra Modi, India’s self-proclaimed “strong” Prime Minister, has mastered the art of silence and deflection. Since taking office in 2014, his reluctance to engage in unscripted dialogue, respond to accountability mechanisms, or face real-time questioning has set him apart from his predecessors. The contrast with Dr. Manmohan Singh—who, despite being labelled “silent,” regularly addressed the press, took parliamentary questions head-on, and upheld institutional integrity—could not be more stark.
Below is a detailed breakdown of Modi’s governance through evasion and narrative control:
1. The Press Conference That Never Was
Unlike every Prime Minister before him, Narendra Modi has never held a full-fledged, unscripted press conference. His media interactions are limited to carefully orchestrated interviews with pre-approved questions. This avoids the possibility of tough, real-time scrutiny and undermines the press’s democratic function of holding power accountable. Silence, in this case, becomes a shield against accountability.
2. Deflection and Diversion in Parliament
Inside Parliament, the Prime Minister rarely addresses core issues. When questioned on critical subjects like unemployment, inflation, or public health failures, Modi often reverts to attacking the opposition—usually the Congress party—or invoking history. From demonetization to the COVID-19 crisis, Modi avoids admitting mistakes and instead rewrites the narrative to blame others, eroding the sanctity of parliamentary debate.
3. The BJP IT Cell: Smear Over Substance
The BJP’s infamous IT Cell operates as a digital militia, targeting dissenters and critics. Instead of countering questions with reasoned arguments, it floods platforms with hate, misinformation, and slander. Critics are branded “anti-national,” “Khalistani,” or “urban Naxal”—terms that now serve as digital gag orders. This toxic ecosystem has turned public discourse into a battlefield where fear replaces facts.
4. Media Capture: The NDTV Takeover and Beyond
One of the most telling signs of this media clampdown was the Adani Group’s takeover of NDTV—India’s last major independent news outlet. Since the acquisition, NDTV’s tone has noticeably softened. Meanwhile, agencies like the ED and CBI are routinely unleashed on journalists and media houses that refuse to fall in line. Government advertising budgets are weaponized to reward sycophants and punish dissenters, slowly strangling the independence of the fourth estate.
5. Narrative Management by Blame Shifting
The Modi playbook is clear: when cornered, blame the past. Every current crisis is painted as a legacy issue from “70 years of Congress rule.” From economic downturns to infrastructure failures, Modi’s government projects itself as the perpetual victim of historical sabotage—even after a decade in power. This constant redirection prevents real introspection and reform.
6. Politicization of Investigative Agencies
India’s premier investigative bodies have become tools of political vendetta. The Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and Income Tax Department now appear to function less as neutral agencies and more as political enforcers. Opposition leaders, civil society activists, and even businesspeople critical of the regime find themselves suddenly under investigation—while BJP allies are conveniently untouched.
7. Policy Without Accountability
Major national decisions under Modi have been carried out without consultation or post-facto evaluation:
- Demonetization: Launched overnight with no debate, it plunged the economy into chaos, yet no accountability followed.
- Farm Laws: Enacted without stakeholder engagement, sparking a year-long protest by farmers—later repealed without explanation or apology.
- GST Rollout: Implemented hastily, it caused immense confusion for small businesses, with the government refusing to acknowledge its flaws.
These decisions were not just undemocratic in process; they were unapologetically authoritarian in execution.
8. Silence in the Face of Injustice
Modi’s silence has been most deafening in moments of national crisis and moral urgency:
- Manipur Violence (2023): Even as the northeastern state burned in ethnic conflict, Modi remained mute for months.
- Mob Lynchings and Hate Crimes: His continued silence on hate crimes—especially against Muslims and Dalits—sends a chilling message of tacit approval.
This strategic silence empowers extremists and weakens the social fabric of the country.
Conclusion: The Myth of the “Silent Economist” vs. the Reality of “Maun Modi”
Dr. Manmohan Singh, despite media caricatures of silence, regularly held press briefings, answered parliamentary questions, and respected democratic institutions. Modi, by contrast, has used silence not as humility, but as a political weapon—dodging questions, delegitimizing critics, and tightening control over every narrative.
In a democracy, evasion is not strength. It is cowardice wrapped in populism. Modi’s governance style may win headlines and hashtags, but it comes at the cost of transparency, accountability, and democratic health.
The real question is: How long can a democracy survive when its leader refuses to speak truthfully—or even speak at all?
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