Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's use of a midnight selfie video to address students [1].

The incident highlights a growing tension between the Indian government and student protesters, as the opposition argues that social media posts are being used to bypass formal parliamentary accountability.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge focused on a scuffle between police and protesters that occurred on July 20 [1] at Jantar Mantar in Delhi [1]. He argued that the government failed to provide a transparent account of the clash within the legislative body.

"The government should have presented the facts of the incident in Parliament, but it did not," Kharge said [1].

Kharge critiqued the timing and format of the Prime Minister's communication. He pointed to a video posted at midnight [1] that utilized a selfie-style camera angle [2]. The opposition leader suggested that the Prime Minister's preference for digital messaging over direct address was an attempt to avoid scrutiny.

"When PM Modi likes to say his 'mann ki baat,' why could he not find the time to address students? Why did he post a statement at midnight?" Kharge said [1].

While the Prime Minister's video aimed for a modern appeal, it drew mixed reactions online. Some social media users compared the low, close angle of the selfie video to a specific scene from the 2011 film 'Delhi Belly' [2].

Kharge maintained that the government must prioritize official reporting over curated digital content when dealing with public unrest and police actions [1].

“"The government should have presented the facts of the incident in Parliament, but it did not."”

This exchange underscores a tactical conflict in Indian governance between traditional parliamentary oversight and the 'direct-to-citizen' communication style favored by Prime Minister Modi. By framing the midnight video as an evasion of duty, the opposition is attempting to shift the narrative from the content of the PM's message to the legitimacy of the medium, asserting that digital engagement cannot replace formal government accountability for police actions.