Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embraced a viral meme depicting him dancing, expressing enjoyment at the creative portrayal amid the peak of the election season. The meme, which portrays PM Modi dancing to a popular Bengali tune, emerged amidst a wave of similar satirical content featuring political figures.
In contrast, a similar meme featuring West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee drew a stern response from the Bengal police, who initiated a hunt for the creator, drawing criticism from netizens. PM Modi's reaction to the meme stood in contrast, with him lauding the creativity behind it.
Acknowledging the meme on social media, PM Modi remarked, "Like all of you, I also enjoyed seeing myself dance. Such creativity in peak poll season is truly a delight!" His response resonated with many who appreciated his light-hearted approach.
The incident highlights the evolving landscape of political satire in India, transitioning from traditional mediums like cartoons to memes and digital content. However, it also underscores the differing reactions of authorities to such content, with instances of legal action being taken against creators in the past.
Elections in India have historically been accompanied by humor and satire aimed at political leaders. However, the advent of social media has led to a surge in the production and dissemination of such content, sometimes resulting in legal repercussions for creators.
In recent years, individuals across the country have faced legal action for sharing satirical content targeting prominent political figures, including arrests for posting memes and cartoons. The incident involving the meme of PM Modi dancing adds to the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of expression and the boundaries of political satire in the digital age.