Archive · 21 Sep 2026
BJP Worries Modi Birthday Spectacle Exposed Public Fatigue
The BJP organised unusually large celebrations for Narendra Modi’s birthday.
These included lighting lamps, motorcycle rallies and public light shows.
The party hoped the events would show that people strongly support Modi.
However, reports said many ordinary people did not join in.
Some BJP members worried that the celebrations made people think there is growing tiredness with Modi’s leadership.
Critics also questioned using public money for birthday events.
They compared this spending with Modi’s earlier requests that people save fuel and cooking oil.
A celebration in Bihar was criticised because floods were affecting many rural residents.
Afterward, BJP president Nitin Nabin announced a donation to Bihar’s flood relief fund.
The BJP and several state governments staged large celebrations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s September 17 birthday.
Party insiders said weak public participation and criticism over spending may have harmed Modi’s image.
The celebrations included motorcycle rallies, government-organised light shows and the nationwide Aashirwad Ka Diya campaign.
Critics highlighted a perceived contradiction between the events’ expenditure and Modi’s appeals to conserve fuel and cooking oil.
Backlash intensified after Bihar’s celebration coincided with severe floods, prompting BJP president Nitin Nabin to donate three months’ salary to flood relief.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party, state governments led by the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposition critics and BJP insiders.
- What
- Large nationwide celebrations for Modi’s birthday drew limited public enthusiasm and internal concern about their political impact.
- When
- September 17; Nitin Nabin announced his flood-relief donation the following Friday.
- Where
- Across India, including Varanasi, Vadnagar, Ujjain and Patna.
- Why
- The BJP sought to celebrate Modi’s service and political milestone, while critics objected to the scale and use of public resources.
Critics and Concerned BJP Members
BJP Celebration Rationale
Public response
Critics and Concerned BJP Members
Opposition critics and some BJP leaders said ordinary people showed limited enthusiasm, making the events appear forced and potentially exposing fatigue with Modi’s leadership.
BJP Celebration Rationale
The BJP organised the events to highlight Modi’s dedication to serving the country and to seek public blessings for his long life.
Use of public resources
Critics and Concerned BJP Members
Opponents questioned the use of government machinery and taxpayers’ money for birthday celebrations, especially while people were being urged to conserve fuel and cooking oil.
BJP Celebration Rationale
State governments presented the programmes as organised celebrations and service-related efforts marking Modi’s birthday and political journey.
Bihar celebration during floods
Critics and Concerned BJP Members
Social-media users criticised the Patna lamp-lighting event because rural Bihar was dealing with severe floods and needed resources for relief.
BJP Celebration Rationale
The BJP said the flood situation was being continuously monitored and that the government was prepared to provide timely assistance; Nitin Nabin also announced a personal contribution to the relief fund.
- Birthday date
- September 17
- Main campaign
- Aashirwad Ka Diya, encouraging people to light earthen lamps
- Motorcycle route
- Varanasi to Vadnagar and back, covering more than 1,366 kilometres
- Major light shows
- Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and Patna in Bihar
- Political milestone
- Modi was set to complete 25 uninterrupted years in government on October 7
- Flood-relief donation
- Nitin Nabin announced a contribution of ₹6,35,000 from three months’ salary
- Traditional observance
- The BJP had generally marked Modi’s birthday with low-key service activities such as blood donation camps