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#BlockNarendraModi: Why Block Narendra Modi Is Trending On Twitter?

We all know that Gauri Lankesh (55), the editor of the weekly Gauri Lankesh Patrike publication, was shot dead by unidentified attackers outside her house in Bangalore on Tuesday. Her death sparked shock and outrage across the country, with journalists, politicians, and activists sharply denouncing the murder.

She was seen as a vocal opponent of Hindutva oppression has been deeply resented by all factions of the society who see this gruesome act as a telling example of rising intolerance for dissent in our country.

The anger over the killing of Gauri Lankesh is evident on Twitter where a large number of users have started blocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal handle in protest against him following abusive trolls, including one who called the Kannada journalist-activist who deserved to die.

Indian social media users have launched this online campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after it emerged that he is following via his Twitter account users who appeared to celebrate and justify the recent murder of a prominent journalist.

PM Modi who otherwise is pretty active on social media has been subject to harshest possible criticism over him remaining silent on issues which strike a deep chord among citizens. Nikhil Dadhich, a garments manufacturer/Hindu nationalist from Surat, wasted no time in declaring sans any shame the following distasteful words:

“Ek kuttiya kutte ki maut kya mari, saare pille ek sur mein bilbila rahe hain (It took a bitch to die a dog’s death, for all pups to howl in the same tune).” Nikhil’s statement may have been easily ignored as the ramblings of an apathetic, media-hating, Left-hating, Narendra Modi fan, but for a tiny detail. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reads his toxic tweets.

Dadhich’s Twitter account is followed by many political leaders from the right-wing BJP including Modi, which prompted many to ask why he was following such people and demanded an to un-follow and apology.

Thus, since Wednesday, #BlockNarendraModi appeared on the micro-blogging site and was trending. Most users, while blocking the PM, tagged one Dr. Rakesh Parikh (@drrakeshparikh) who they said came up with the idea. Dr. Parikh’s bio on Twitter says he is a “Diabetologist, Clinical Researcher, Blogger, Social Activist. Ex-Politician have been active in Anti Corruption movement and then founder member of AAP”.

Let’s have a look at the Twitter users who have blocked Narendra Modi:

Many Indians registered their anger by blocking Modi, who is one of the most popular world leaders on Twitter with 33.8 million followers.

However, there were also a substantial number of tweets in support of the prime minister. He is, after all, the second-most followed world leader on Twitter after US president Donald Trump.

What do you say about this issue? Do you support Narendra Modi or oppose? Share your views with us in the comments section below.