Mann Ki Baat@100: Opposition targets iconic broadcast

Opposition leaders claim the program failed to address country’s ongoing issues

NEW DELHI | Updated: 30 April, 2023 5:37 pm IST

TMC MP Mahua Moitra sent a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker to make him aware of details regarding the "state sponsored" surveillance

While the country celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s iconic broadcast, marking the 100th episode of his much-loved Mann Ki Baat, opposition parties targeted the radio program, saying it failed to address the ongoing issues.

Sunday marked a big day for the country as Mann Ki Baat, a monthly radio program where PM Modi interacts with citizens of India on themes and issues that matter to the nation, broadcast its 100th episode.

The iconic program also went global, with Indian embassies in various countries making arrangements to broadcast it. It was even telecast live at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Early in the morning, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra tweeted, “Dear Hon’ble Modiji- today is 100th episode of Mann ki Baat due to be telecast live even at UN HQ. Please do tell us:
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(sic)”

The Krishnanagar MP’s first question is concerning the ongoing protest by some of the country’s celebrated wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, along with Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, is leading the protest against alleged sexual harassment by the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.

The Supreme Court has directed Delhi Police to file an FIR against Singh, and several sports stars, including legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, iconic tennis player Sania Mirza and Olympic and World champion Neeraj Chopra, have come forward in support of the protesting wrestlers.

Meanwhile, Congress also questioned the iconic program that heralded many landmark movements in the country.

“The 100th day of Mann ki Baat is being heralded with great fanfare. But it is Maun ki Baat on crucial issues like China, Adani, increasing economic inequalities, price rise of essential commodities, terror attacks in J&K, insults to women wrestlers, non-fulfillment of promises made to farmer organisations, corruption in so-called double-engine state govts like Karnataka, conmen with close links to BJP, etc.” former Union minister and Congress secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

“IIM Rohtak does some doctored study on Mann ki Baat’s impacts while its Director’s academic credentials have been questioned by the Ministry of Education Itself (sic),” he added.

Despite the opposition’s questions, there is no doubt that Mann Ki Baat played a crucial role during the pandemic as it informed the general public, even in far-flung areas and people from lower economic backgrounds, about COVID awareness measures, informing people about the latest developments in vaccines and providing crucial information.

Throughout the 100 episodes of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi addressed health, environment, cleanliness and social issues while highlighting common people who are making an effort to bring positive change to society.