PM Modi’s call to change DPs on social media is yet another exercise for building national unity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carved out his own unique way for nation building and imbibing solidarity among Indians. On Sunday he urged citizens to put out the Tricolour as display pictures (DPs) on their social media handles to mark the Independence Day celebrations. Modi himself changed his DP to the Tricolour.

“In the spirit of the #HarGharTiranga movement, let us change the DP of our social media accounts and extend support to this unique effort which will deepen the bond between our beloved country and us,” Modi said on social media platform ‘X’.

Starting from appealing to the nation to light lamps after switching off electric lights and clap during the Corvid 19 pandemic to launching the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign last year, the Prime Minister has sought to unite the country through these simple chores which can be followed by everyone across the country.

Govind Mohan, Secretary, Ministry of Culture said that Har Gar Tiranga campaign transformed into a people’s movement with increasing ‘Jan-Bhagidari’.

In 2020, millions of households in India lit lamps and even clapped or banged utensils after Modi’s call.

New agency Reuters reported in 2020 that people across the country switched off lights. Some lit firecrackers, played drums, clapped and chanted slogans against the coronavirus.

“In some big cities like Mumbai and New Delhi, residents of some housing associations stood in balconies and sang patriotic songs,” the report said.

“While for many, these exercises may look absurd, they appeal to the public at large who feel part of the nation building process,” a political analyst who refused to be identified told India Narrative.

It gives a uniform character to a nation irrespective of the differences and social and economic echelons, the analyst said, adding that even Mahatma Gandhi in the pre-Independence era used the mechanism to unite in a show of strength.

The analyst underlined that such exercises are nothing new, in the recent times, few leaders have managed to garner the support through social activities.

According to Frontiers, a research-based platform noted that solidarity is a crucial concept in the social and political sciences. “It represents both a core societal dimension and a political goal in local, national, and supranational entities. The degree of solidarity between individuals and between communities indicates their cohesiveness,” it said.

While Modi’s efforts have often been criticised and even ridiculed by the Opposition parties, all Members of Parliament from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance came wore black last month, as a mark of solidarity on the issue of Manipur.

Also read: Har Ghar Tiranga: Kashmir’s seminal moment as the tricolour flies from the homes of militants