We Were Proud of Him Even When You Were Strengthening Your Booth: Twitter Hits Out at Modi for Politicising Abhinandan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come under fire of social media user for referring to Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan while delivering a politically charged speech in Tamil Nadu on Friday, March 1.

While addressing the rally, the PM had said, “It makes every Indian proud that the brave Wing Commander Abhinandan hails from Tamil Nadu,” while attacking the Opposition and the previous governments.

Social media users swiftly called out the prime minister’s politicisation of the IAF pilot’s capture and release. Many users pointed out that the PM had not made any public statements about Abhinandan’s capture, prior to evoking his Tamilian identity. It is noteworthy that the hashtag #GoBackModi started trending on Twitter ahead of the PM’s visit to the state. BJP does not have a vote base in the state, and had managed to win only one seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Even during the PM’s last visit to Tamil Nadu, residents of the state had trended the same hashtag to make their displeasure known.

One Delhi-based journalist referred to Yedyurappa’s much-criticised remark that the IAF air strike in Balakot will “help BJP win 22 seats” in Karnataka, and asked how Modi’s mention of the Wing Commander was any different.

So the first time PM Modi mentions Wing Commander Abhinandan's name, is when it helps asking for votes in Tamil Nadu. How is this any different from what Yeddyurappa said? https://t.co/NX79kmZNpG

— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) March 1, 2019

One user pointed out that Modi had made a distasteful pun at the Vigyan Conference, referring to the India-Pakistan tensions as a “pilot project”.

This shameless creature called Wing Commander Abhinandan "Pilot Project" and today he is using his name in his rally. But sure opposition is playing POLITICS. https://t.co/W0m8tFMxPx

— Scotchy (@scotchism) March 1, 2019

Another journalist appealed that the nation was “on the brink of war” and such politicisation should not be done.

Please stop politicising every damn thing. The country was on the brink of a war. https://t.co/y9uGnv0uUe

— Sohini Guharoy (@sohinigr) March 1, 2019

Another user pointed out the inappropriateness of referring to the pilot’s Tamilian heritage.

How Low is Low for you Mr PM ? Abhinandan is not a Tamilian !! Take it from me , he is an INDIAN !!! Just like I am not a Malayali but an Indian !!! And you are Indian First before being Called a Gujarati !! @sanjayuvacha https://t.co/beot6XOKOJ

— Augustine Varkey (@logicalindianz) March 1, 2019

Journalist Rohini Singh referred to the fact that the Prime Minister was launching an app and addressing a BJP booth workers’ video conference not long after Abhinandan was captured.

Dear @narendramodi. Every Indian was proud of #Abhinandan from the very first moment. We were proud of him when you were launching an app, we were proud of him when you were strengthening your booth and we will continue being proud him even as you solicit votes on his valour.

— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) March 1, 2019

Also Read: Bizarre, Relentless Politicisation: Modi Says Every Indian Proud That Abhinandan Is From Tamil Nadu