The Congress party on Sunday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent podcast appearance with computer scientist Lex Fridman, accusing him of avoiding a press conference while choosing to speak on a platform linked to the right-wing ecosystem.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary for Communications, took to social media, calling out the prime minister’s remarks during the podcast, where he stated that “criticism is the soul of democracy.” Ramesh accused Modi of undermining democratic institutions and going after his critics with “a vengeance.”
“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,” Ramesh wrote on X, adding, “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.”
During his appearance on the podcast with Fridman, PM Modi spoke extensively about his childhood, his spiritual journey with the RSS, and geopolitics. He shared insights into his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging both leaders to negotiate for peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Modi also discussed his relationship with former US President Donald Trump, drawing comparisons between Trump’s “America First” ideology and his own “India First” approach.
“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 said.
Reflecting on his life and work, Modi expressed how he felt blessed to have received his life’s purpose and values of selfless service from the RSS, describing it as the spiritual foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
