Actor Gul Panag has fiercely criticised YouTuber Dhruv Rathee for a social media post denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reacting to Rathee’s post, which stated that “Modi deserved to be humiliated everywhere he goes,” the actress asserted that the freedom not to like a political party or Prime Minister is a democratic right, but “reducing the office of India’s Prime Minister to a joke on foreign soil doesn’t feel like the right thing or dissent to me.”
"Modi deserves to be humiliated everywhere he goes. He has not given a single press conference in 12 years since he became the Prime Minister. He fails to fulfill the basic transparency and accountability requirements of being a leader.
I would like to encourage foreign journalists from other European countries to ask him questions wherever they see him, just like @HelleLyngSvends did. Embarrass him so much that he is forced to show some accountability in front of people. You will be doing great service for India’s progress," Rathee had written on X.
The YouTuber’s remarks came in the wake of PM Modi’s Norway visit, during which he walked away after a joint press appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Journalist Helle Lyng called out to him, asking, “Why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” but received no response.
The incident quickly sparked political reactions in India, with the Opposition, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, criticising Modi over the episode and saying: “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.”
Gul Panag responds
Quoting Rathee’s post on X, Gul Panag wrote, “Not cool. You can dislike a Prime Minister, disagree with a government, protest, debate and vote differently. That’s democracy. But reducing the office of India’s Prime Minister, the man, the office, and what he represents abroad, to a joke on foreign soil doesn’t feel like the right thing or dissent to me. It diminishes him, the institution, and ultimately, us.”
Social media users react
Gul Panag’s post has received more than 113,000 views, with many users backing her stance while others joined the wider debate surrounding political criticism and representing the country abroad.
Responding to Panag’s post, one user wrote, “You said what we should have heard from everyone long ago.” Another user supported her remarks, saying, “Yes, I agree with you.”
A third user praised the actor for her response and commented, “Thank you for upholding the dignity of our country.” However, some users appeared divided over the issue. One user reflected the mixed reactions surrounding the debate, writing, “I am just confused about whose side to take.”
