Don’t use abusive language on social media: PM

Having interacted regularly with his millions of followers on digital media for many years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday personally caught up with 150 of them. And his crisp message for them was: “Don’t use abusive language on Twitter and other social media. Speak positive things in a positive manner.”

Having interacted regularly with his millions of followers on digital media for many years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday personally caught up with 150 of them. And his crisp message for them was: “Don’t use abusive language on Twitter and other social media. Speak positive things in a positive manner.”

Modi, who invokes mixed reactions on social media between his followers and critics, also said, “If all the abuses I receive are printed on a paper, entire premises of the Taj Mahal will be covered.”

The informal get-together, held at 7, Race Course Road, took place hours before Modi kickstarted the Digital India Week. This was the first of its kind of personal interaction between the PM and his digital media followers — the latter were those active on the government’s interactive platform, MyGov.

The portal invites suggestions and creative ideas for different government schemes and plans. Recently, the Prime Minister’s app was created through ideas and designs from MyGov.

Modi’s message comes at a time when there has been a sharp rise in abusive online attacks under the pretext of countering those with differing opinions. He pointed out that despite getting many abusive comments, he does not prefer blocking anyone on Twitter.

Modi urged his supporters to say positive things, even in the face of ugly content, as he fears abusive language may “finish” the digital media platforms that can be otherwise useful for spreading positive news.

The PM reportedly met every participant and took photos with them, although selfies were not allowed. Winners of the MyGov contest for creating Modiapp were also felicitated.