The Congress party strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appearing on a podcast with American computer scientist Lex Fridman instead of addressing the media in a press conference on Sunday. The party accused him of avoiding tough questions while finding comfort in a conversation with a foreign podcaster.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh directly attacked Modi’s remarks on democracy and accountability, arguing that he had systematically weakened institutions meant to keep his government in check. Referring to Modi’s statement that “criticism is the soul of democracy,” Ramesh accused him of suppressing dissent and aggressively targeting critics.
In a post on X, Ramesh wrote, “He who is afraid of facing the media in a press conference has found comfort in a foreign podcaster anchored in the right-wing ecosystem.”
He further escalated his attack by stating, “And he has the gall to say that ‘criticism is the soul of democracy’ when he has systematically gutted every institution that is to hold his Government accountable and gone after critics with a vengeance that no one in recent history has matched! There is no limit to Hypo(d)crisy.”
PM Modi’s Podcast with Lex Fridman
During the podcast, PM Modi shared insights about his childhood, the influence of Swami Vivekananda, the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in shaping his values, and his views on global geopolitics.
Discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Modi revealed that he had personally urged Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to engage in peace negotiations.
Shifting the conversation to his relationship with former US President Donald Trump, Modi drew parallels between Trump’s “America First” ideology and his own “India First” approach. He emphasized that both leaders prioritized their nations’ interests above all else.
“I have observed President Trump both during his first term and now in his second run. This time, he seems far more prepared than before. He has a clear roadmap in his mind with well-defined steps, each one designed to lead him toward his goals,” Modi remarked.
Finally, he reflected on the impact of the RSS on his life, crediting the organization for instilling in him a strong sense of purpose and commitment to selfless service. He described the RSS as the ideological foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and acknowledged its role in shaping his leadership.