Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Modi Uses Gen Z Language to Tout India’s Progress
Narendra Modi visited Shri Ram College of Commerce to speak with students.
He had also visited the college in 2013, before becoming prime minister.
This time, he used popular expressions such as “OG” and “naaraaz fufa” to sound familiar to young people.
He said India is doing better now than it was in 2013.
He pointed to changes involving security, terrorism, the economy and international relations.
He also said young Indians now have more support to create companies and new technology.
The speech came after student protests in the capital.
Those protests were critical of Modi and his government and were followed by the education minister’s resignation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed students at Shri Ram College of Commerce nearly 13 years after his 2013 visit there.
He used phrases including “naaraaz fufa,” “OG” and “Dhurandhar” to connect with Gen Z students.
Modi contrasted conditions in 2013 with what he described as India’s progress in security, the economy and global relations.
He said today’s students can pursue ambitions in startups, unicorns, space, drones, artificial intelligence and agricultural innovation.
The speech followed student protests in the capital that led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister, according to the article.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed students at Shri Ram College of Commerce, while the article also refers to student protesters and the Union Education Minister.
- What
- Modi delivered a speech using Gen Z references and presenting India’s progress since 2013.
- When
- Saturday, nearly 13 years after Modi’s previous visit to the college in 2013.
- Where
- Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi, India.
- Why
- He sought to connect with young students and argue that India’s current conditions and opportunities are stronger than they were in 2013.
Modi’s framing
Students’ and critics’ context
India’s progress since 2013
Modi’s framing
Modi said India had moved from crises and policy paralysis in 2013 to stronger governance, policy dynamism, improved security and greater opportunities for ambition.
Students’ and critics’ context
The article notes that students had mounted protests severely critical of Modi and that the protests challenged the perception of his party’s uncontested dominance.
Meaning of criticism
Modi’s framing
Modi described persistent critics as “naaraaz fufa,” portraying them as negative voices out of step with the younger generation, while saying he had forgiven the protesting students.
Students’ and critics’ context
The protests followed controversy over Modi’s use of the phrase “dimagi Naxal” in a Red Fort address, which the article says triggered criticism.
Security and national challenges
Modi’s framing
Modi claimed that terrorism was on the back foot, India could strike inside Pakistan after wrongdoing, peace had returned to Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, and Maoist terrorism had been weakened.
Students’ and critics’ context
The article presents these as Modi’s claims and does not provide an independent assessment or an opposing factual account of those security developments.
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Venue
- Shri Ram College of Commerce
- Previous visit
- Modi previously spoke at the college in 2013.
- Audience
- Students, including a generation expected to become first-time Lok Sabha voters in 2029
- Gen Z references
- “Naaraaz fufa,” “OG” and “Dhurandhar”
- Political context
- The speech followed unprecedented student protests in the capital, according to the article.
- Former colleague cited
- Arun Jaitley, an alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce