The reactions and the support to globe trotting PM Modi has been mixed, with some suggesting Mr Modi is still not out of campaign mode, some took outrage over Mr Modi talking negatively about India on foreign soil.
“Earlier, you felt ashamed of being born Indian,” he said to the Indian community in China. “Now you feel proud to represent the country. Indians abroad had all hoped for a change in government last year.”
These remarks have sparked a social media outrage, with the hashtag #ModiInsultsIndia, an outrage which has snowballed into many questioning the intention and out comes of the expensive foreign trips.
We, at The Logical Indian, decided to clarify for the PM our feelings towards our land. No Mr Modi Ji, we have never felt ashamed of being Indian. There is a rich legacy for us to take pride in. We are proud of those who fought for our freedom from Gandhi ji to Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The innocents massacred at Jallianwala Bagh and the many unnamed. We honour their sacrifice and courage. It is not for you to put down Indians in this manner. Even those who are NRIs hold on to the culture and traditions of India and celebrate the 26th of January and the 15th of August as much as we do here in India.
What we are ashamed of, are those who sit in Parliament. The representatives that we have elected. We are ashamed of their behaviour. The manner in which they spew abuses and indulge in fist fights and throw chappals like children on a playground. The ridiculous shouting matches as they prevent others from speaking and waste the time of the Parliament. All this on our money.
We are ashamed that Aruna Shaubags and Nirbhayas happen. We are ashamed that people are still discriminated on the basis of caste and that minorities are targetted for political motives. We are ashamed that the homeless can fall victim to the drunken stupor of celebrities. But we keep hope. Hope in the people like the nurses who looked after Aruna so well that she did not even have bedsores depsite being bedridden for 42 years. We keep hope, that candle-light marches may yet force our judiciary to improve.
As for feeling proud of representing the nation now, as you claim, we are still waiting for all the achievements and the AccheDin that you promised. The farmers continue to commit suicide, women are still not safe, lot of critical issues are not yet addressed. We are yet to see the outcome of all these foreign tours.