Still from the video | |
| Media type | Social media video / Instagram Reel |
|---|---|
| Developed by | Narendra Modi |
| Usage | Political communication addressing youth on examination paper leaks |
| Released | 23–24 July 2026 |
| Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) tweeted: |
More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet!
July 23, 2026[1]
"Hello Friends" is a late-night selfie-style video message posted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his official Instagram and Facebook accounts on the night of 23–24 July 2026. In the video, Modi addressed young Indians as "friends" regarding nationwide student protests over irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, outlining government actions already taken and announcing plans for stricter legislation and fast-track courts.
The video, Modi's first direct vertical-format outreach in this style to Gen Z audiences amid the protests, rapidly gained massive engagement. It crossed 303 million views on Instagram within 24 hours, setting a reported world record for the most-viewed Instagram Reel in that timeframe and surpassing the previous benchmark of approximately 300 million views held by streamer IShowSpeed for a clip featuring members of BTS. It also contributed to a surge of roughly one million new Instagram followers for Modi overnight, with his total rising from around 101 million to over 105 million within a week.
A follow-up video beginning with "Thank you friends" was posted the next day. The original video was briefly restricted on Facebook in the early hours of 28 July 2026; Meta Platforms attributed the action to a technical error or automated filter glitch, restored the content, and apologised. The Indian government rejected the explanation as inadequate and summoned senior Meta executives.
The video formed part of the broader government response to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led agitation, which culminated in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Background[edit | edit source]
The NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance examination, held in early May 2026, faced allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities, leading to its cancellation and the conduct of re-examinations for approximately 22 lakh candidates. Results of the re-examination were declared on 19 July 2026.
Student discontent crystallised into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke. The name derived from remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant comparing certain unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites," which protesters reclaimed as a badge of identity. CJP organised sustained demonstrations, including a major sit-in at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, and a "Sansad Chalo" march toward Parliament on 20 July 2026. Primary demands included the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accountability for examination authorities, compensation for families of students who died by suicide amid the controversy, and systemic reforms.
By late July the protest had entered its fourth and fifth weeks, with intermittent clashes involving Delhi Police, temporary internet restrictions in parts of central Delhi, and involvement of figures such as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who undertook a hunger strike. Opposition parties and civil society groups amplified calls for ministerial accountability.
Content of the video[edit | edit source]
Recorded in a casual, front-camera vertical format typical of Instagram Reels and posted around midnight, the video marked a departure from Modi's more formal addresses. Addressing viewers as "Friends," Modi acknowledged the distress caused by paper leaks:
"Friends, I know that paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful."
He detailed steps taken over the preceding two-and-a-half months, including arrests of those involved (who were then in jail), and emphasised the priority of preventing loss of an academic year by rapidly organising re-examinations for around 22 lakh students. Results had been declared on 19 July, with reports of celebrations by successful candidates, yet the government remained unsatisfied.
Modi announced that he had directed departments that day to prepare a legal framework for fast-track courts and stringent punishments. A draft had been submitted late at night and would be placed before the Union Cabinet the following day. After incorporating ministerial suggestions, the measure would be finalised for introduction in Parliament the following week, with efforts to secure early passage.
The accompanying caption on social media stated: "More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet!"
A second video, posted on 24 July and beginning with the words "Thank you friends," expressed gratitude for the response and "insightful suggestions" from young viewers. In it Modi said the bond with the youth would continue to strengthen and that their affection would remain with him.
Reception and records[edit | edit source]
The initial video achieved exceptional reach. Within 24 hours it recorded over 303 million views on Instagram, establishing a new platform record for a single Reel in that period and overtaking IShowSpeed's previous mark of around 300 million views (from a clip of his meeting with BTS). Reports indicated the view count later exceeded 340–396 million. The video also attracted more than 16 million likes and approximately 1.5 million comments in the early phase.
Modi's Instagram follower count rose by roughly one million overnight (from approximately 101 million) and by about four million over the subsequent days and week, crossing 105 million. Commentators noted the resonance of the informal "Friends" address and Gen Z-oriented format among younger users, though some online reactions included humorous or critical memes referring to the Prime Minister in playful terms such as "Pookie PM."
CJP spokespersons and protesters offered mixed responses, with some viewing the outreach as evidence of pressure from the agitation while insisting that demands, particularly Pradhan's resignation, remained non-negotiable. Political supporters highlighted the direct communication with youth, while critics described it as a public-relations effort amid unresolved structural issues in the examination system.
Meta Platforms controversy[edit | edit source]
On the early morning of 28 July 2026 the Facebook version of the video became briefly unavailable to users in India. Access pages displayed a notice indicating that the content had been withheld in the region following a legal request. The restriction lasted a short period before the post was restored.
Meta Platforms stated that "The content was removed in error and has since been restored," attributing the incident to a technical glitch or error in automated content filters reviewing shared posts. Government sources described the company's explanation as "not reasonable" and indicated that the matter was "far from settled." The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoned Meta's global head of public policy and other senior executives, including those responsible for Instagram, seeking a detailed account and improvements to moderation tools. Meta reportedly offered measures such as ring-fencing high-profile accounts to prevent recurrence.
The episode drew political comment, with some Bharatiya Janata Party workers questioning the platform's authority to restrict content from the Prime Minister of India. It also coincided with broader parliamentary scrutiny: the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology scheduled discussions involving Meta, Google, X and Snapchat on digital platform regulation, privacy and public order.
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
The Union Cabinet approved the draft legislation on or around 25 July 2026. On 27 July the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State Jitendra Singh. The bill amends the 2024 Act to strengthen deterrence against examination malpractices. Key provisions include:
- Imprisonment of five to ten years and fines up to ₹50 lakh for individuals using unfair means (increased from three to five years and ₹10 lakh);
- Higher penalties for organised crime and for service providers (fines up to ₹5–10 crore and extended debarment periods);
- Mandatory completion of investigations within two months, with provision for a Special Task Force;
- Designation of Special Fast Track Courts required to complete trials within three months of the charge-sheet, with day-to-day hearings and Special Public Prosecutors.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister amid the continuing pressure. The CJP-led protests at Jantar Mantar were called off around 25 July after discussions with government representatives, with organisers stating that key demands on accountability, protection of protesters and dignity for affected families had been addressed or were under further negotiation.
The episode was widely reported as an example of political communication adapting to short-form vertical video platforms popular with younger demographics, while also highlighting ongoing tensions between Indian authorities and global technology companies over content moderation.
See also[edit | edit source]
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Cockroach Janta Party
- Social media use by Narendra Modi
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Narendra Modi [@narendramodi] (23 July 2026). "More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow's Cabinet!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
External links[edit | edit source]
- [Official Instagram account of Narendra Modi]