Congress leader Tariq Anwar has ignited a fresh row by casting doubts on Prime Minister Modi’s Instagram follower count crossing 100 million. In an interview with IANS from New Delhi, the MP labeled the figures as manufactured, drawing from common knowledge of social media tactics.
The remarks come against the backdrop of a dramatic standoff in Shimla between Delhi and Himachal police forces over Youth Congress arrests. Anwar portrayed the incident as an overreach: ‘Local police should be notified when out-of-state officers arrive for arrests. These weren’t criminals—they upheld democratic rights at an AI event.’
He criticized the disproportionate response to the Youth Congress demonstration, insisting it was a legitimate expression of dissent. ‘No violence, no crimes—just a protest,’ Anwar stressed, urging restraint from law enforcement.
On Modi’s digital fame, Anwar was blunt. ‘Boosting followers is child’s play for those in the know. This doesn’t signal rising popularity; in fact, it’s waning due to policy decisions like the US pact.’ Future elections, he hinted, would be the true litmus test.
Addressing other flashpoints, Anwar slammed Nitesh Rane’s madrasa comments as emblematic of anti-Muslim bias. Netanyahu’s compliments to Modi? ‘Routine protocol for visiting leaders.’ And on NCERT revisions, he backed the judiciary’s suspicion of a plot to undermine courts via educational content.
Anwar’s multi-pronged attack highlights Congress’s strategy to challenge the government’s narrative on multiple fronts, from street protests to online optics.