On 25 July 2025, as PM Modi completed 4,078 uninterrupted days in office, surpassing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 4,077-day record, leftist cartoonist Manjul posted on his X handle,
“33 bullets hit Indira Gandhi. Any PM hoping to beat that record?”
The post immediately triggered a wave of condemnation, with many accusing the cartoonist of implicitly invoking or even encouraging political violence against a democratically elected leader. Several users called for legal action, citing the post as a veiled assassination threat.
Manjul, who has been previously noted for his critiques of the BJP-led government and support for opposition narratives, did not offer clarification or apology at the time of reporting.
Observers pointed out that the reference to the assassination of Indira Gandhi, couched in the context of PM Modi surpassing her tenure record, carries disturbing implications.
While freedom of expression is a protected right in India, many public figures and citizens across party lines stressed that invoking historical political assassinations in this manner crosses a dangerous line.
The incident comes on a day when PM Narendra Modi not only surpassed Indira Gandhi’s record but also strengthened his place in history as the second longest-serving Prime Minister in India after Jawaharlal Nehru. He remains the first non-Congress leader to serve three consecutive terms with a majority and has completed over two decades as the head of an elected government – first in Gujarat, and now at the Centre.
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