New Delhi: Opposition parties may have been up in arms against the ruling government over the issue of intolerance, the government, it appears, has itself become a victim to such prejudice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the element of humour has disappeared from the realm of public discourse and that even he fears as to what a remark made in jest could snowball into.
“Earlier, in my speeches, there used to be a lot of humour laden into it. I have this habit of making humour a key ingredient of my discourse, especially in speeches. However, today in the age of 24x7 channels, you don’t know how one remark could be construed in what context,” he told Times Now in an interview.
He was responding to a question whether his recent address to the US Congress that had its fair share of humour was impromptu. Though he skirted that particular question, he did say it wasn’t easy to speak ones heart any longer.
"Mr. Speaker, I am informed that the working of the U.S. Congress is harmonious. I am also told that you are well-known for your bipartisanship. Well, you are not alone. Time and again, I have also witnessed a similar spirit in the Indian Parliament, especially in our Upper House.
"So, as you can see, we have many shared practices," PM Modi had said in his address to the US Congress.
When asked if he had become conscious since he became Prime Minister of the country, Modi retorted saying he had become fearful and not just conscious.
“Not just conscious, I am afraid and need to think a lot before speaking anything. All of us are scared,” he said.
PM Modi also said he has noticed a similar trend where discussions and deliberations among legislators are devoid of the element of humor.
“Even in parliament, and in discussions, I have noticed that the space for humour that used to exist before is no longer there,” he rued.
