Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Press Club Disowns Modi Cutout Worship Event Amid Criticism
An event was held at the Press Club of India where people worshipped a cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They also recited a poem called the “Modi Chalisa.”
Videos of the event spread online and caused criticism.
The Press Club said it did not organise the event.
It said the hall had been rented for a press conference instead.
Club officials stopped the event because the rental rules were allegedly broken.
The organiser, Rajan Singh, said a large temple for Modi could be built in Bihar.
He said this was because he believed Modi had helped transgender people receive rights and jobs.
The Press Club of India said it did not organise the event held on its premises.
Videos showed a Modi cutout being worshipped and a devotional “Modi Chalisa” being recited.
Club authorities stopped the event after organisers allegedly violated the hall’s rental terms.
Organiser Rajan Singh said a Rs 112 crore temple for Narendra Modi is planned in Bihar.
Singh linked the proposal to Modi’s alleged efforts to secure rights and employment for transgender people.
- Who
- The event involved organiser Rajan Singh, the Press Club of India, and people promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- A Modi cutout was worshipped and a devotional “Modi Chalisa” was recited at an event.
- When
- The event took place earlier on the Thursday described in the reports.
- Where
- The event was held at the Press Club of India in New Delhi; a proposed temple would be built in Bihar.
- Why
- Rajan Singh said the worship and proposed temple honoured Modi for allegedly advancing rights and employment for transgender people.
Critics and Club Authorities
Event Organiser
Use of the Press Club venue
Critics and Club Authorities
The Press Club of India said it was not involved in organising the event and stopped it after the organisers allegedly breached the hall’s rental terms.
Event Organiser
The organisers held the programme after hiring the hall for what the club said was meant to be a press conference.
Portraying Modi as a deity
Critics and Club Authorities
The worship of Modi’s cutout and the “Modi Chalisa” prompted online criticism and debate over depicting a prime minister in a god-like manner.
Event Organiser
Rajan Singh defended the proposal, saying nobody should criticise the planned temple because Modi had allegedly secured rights and employment for transgender people.
Transgender rights law
Critics and Club Authorities
Critics of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act say it strips away the right to gender self-determination.
Event Organiser
Singh said transgender people were not opposed to the Act and claimed that opposition came from political opponents.
- Venue
- Press Club of India premises, New Delhi
- Club’s position
- The club said it did not organise the event.
- Event action
- Club authorities stopped the event after alleged violations of rental terms.
- Organiser
- Rajan Singh, vice-president of the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board
- Proposed temple
- A temple for Narendra Modi is planned on five acres in Bihar.
- Estimated cost
- The proposed temple was described as costing Rs 112 crore.
- Disputed legislation
- Singh defended the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, which critics say limits gender self-determination.