Mann Ki Baat at 100: Oppn accuses PM Modi of ignoring ‘crucial issues’, asks, ‘What about wrestlers’ protest?’
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat marked its 100th episode on Sunday, the Opposition hit out at the PM for ignoring “crucial issues” such as the border tensions with China, Adani, price rise, and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Twitter, the official account of the Congress posted a graphic with two speakers, comparing Mann ki Baat with what the party called jan ki baat (people’s issues). The image indicated that the volume was higher in the former section, with the programme going mute in the latter where issues such unemployment, price rise, Adani, women security, 15 lakh, crore jobs are listed.
मन की बात 🔊 जन की बात 🔇 pic.twitter.com/dkZwgDlCIR
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 30, 2023
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress’s general secretary for communications, tweeted: “Today is FekuMaster Special. The 100th day of Mann ki Baat is being heralded with great fanfare. But it is Maun (silent) ki Baat on crucial issues such as China, Adani, increasing economic inequalities, price rise of essential commodities, terror attacks in J&K, insults to women wrestlers, non-fulfillment of promises made to farmer organisations, corruption in so-called double-engine state govts like Karnataka, conmen with close links to BJP, etc. IIM Rohtak does some doctored study on Mann ki Baat’s impacts while its Director’s academic credentials have been questioned by the Ministry of Education itself. ”
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra asked the PM about the women wrestlers currently protesting in Delhi against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and SEBI’s investigation into the Adani issue.
“Dear Hon’ble Modiji — today is 100th episode of Mann ki Baat due to be telecast live even at UN HQ. Please do tell us: 1. Why India’s athlete betis can’t be protected from powerful BJP predators 2. Why SEBI can’t finish Adani invetigation in SC timeframe. Dhanyavad,” she said.
In the 30-minute episode earlier in the day, the PM interviewed some change-makers whom he mentioned in the earlier episodes. Calling Mann Ki Baat “a unique festival of goodness and positivity that comes every month”, Modi said the people mentioned were all our heroes who made the programme come alive.
Sunil Jaglan who started the “Selfie with Daughter” campaign in Haryana, a state with a skewed sex ratio, was the first one to join the PM on the show over a call.
Manzoor Ahmad of Jammu and Kashmir whose pencil slates became popular after being mentioned on the show also made an appearance and so did Vijayashanti Devi from Manipur who makes clothes from lotus fibre.
