Poonawalla Questions PM Modi Critics, Draws Rahul Gandhi Into Fresh Political Exchange

BJP’s former spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Saturday took a sarcastic swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his response to protesters who allegedly used abusive remarks against him during a recent demonstration led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Poonawalla said he was “disappointed” with Modi for not behaving like a “proper dictator”, using irony to highlight what he described as the Prime Minister’s forgiving approach. In a video shared on Instagram, Poonawalla said Modi had failed to meet the expectations of those who portray him as authoritarian, arguing that a “dictator” would not respond to criticism with forgiveness.

His remarks came after Modi released a video message in which he said he forgave young protesters who had allegedly used offensive language against him and other constitutional authorities. “Friends, I am totally disappointed with PM Narendra Modi,” Poonawalla said in the video while making his point through sarcasm. He added that after years in power, Modi still did not know how to be a “dictator properly” because he chose to forgive the protesters instead of taking punitive action. Poonawalla was referring to Modi’s video message released on July 31, in which the Prime Minister addressed the controversy surrounding remarks made during recent Gen Z-led protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party.

The demonstrations had also led to political developments, including calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In his response, Modi described the protesters as young people who had made mistakes and said he chose to forgive them. The message was seen by supporters as an example of restraint, while critics continued to debate issues related to political expression, public criticism, and accountability. Poonawalla’s comments highlighted the contrast between allegations of authoritarianism made by some critics of the government and Modi’s public response to the incident.

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Through his remarks, he suggested that the Prime Minister’s decision to forgive the protesters contradicted claims that he sought to suppress dissent. The controversy has sparked discussions around political speech, protests, and the limits of public expression. Supporters of Modi have defended his response as a gesture of maturity and compassion, while others have focused on the broader debate over how political leaders should respond to offensive criticism.

The recent protests involving the CJP have attracted attention because of their youth participation and criticism of government policies. The episode has also brought renewed focus on the relationship between political dissent, freedom of expression, and the responsibilities of public figures. As political reactions continue, Poonawalla’s remarks have added another dimension to the debate, with his sarcastic criticism aimed at emphasising what he sees as Modi’s willingness to respond with forgiveness rather than confrontation. The incident remains part of a wider discussion on political communication and public accountability in India.

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