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Why??Modi Is Being Trolled After Plane Crash

On June 12, 2025, India woke up to the tragic news of a fatal plane crash involving Air India Flight AI171—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claimed hundreds of lives and sent shockwaves across the nation. As investigators began digging into the black box data and technical failures, an unexpected wave of online trolling and speculation targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

But why is Modi being trolled after the crash?
What connection—if any—does he have with the accident?
Is it just political opportunism or something deeper?

Let’s dive into the reasons behind the trolling, the public reaction, and what this says about the state of discourse in India today.

The Incident—What Happened?

A Brief Timeline

  • Date: June 12, 2025
  • Flight: Air India AI171 (Boeing 787 Dreamliner)
  • Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
  • Crash Time: 30 seconds after takeoff
  • Location: Near Sanand, outskirts of Ahmedabad
  • Fatalities: 300+ (including crew)

Initial reports blamed a catastrophic engine failure and suspected electrical malfunction. The black box was recovered within 48 hours and is under analysis.

Why Is Modi Being Dragged In?

Departure Location: Ahmedabad

The flight departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Modi’s home turf. Many critics and trolls implied that any major incident originating from Gujarat is linked to him—even if symbolically.

PM Modi’s Silence Post-Crash

While global leaders and opposition figures extended condolences immediately, PM Modi did not issue a formal statement or tweet for almost 18 hours. In today’s fast-paced media cycle, this silence was perceived as apathy or arrogance.

“People expect their leader to speak in times of grief. Modi’s silence speaks volumes,” said a viral tweet.

Conspiracy Theories and Political Opportunism

Social media was soon flooded with unverified claims and conspiracies, including:

  • Was a VIP schedule change responsible for rerouting or delaying aircraft maintenance?
  • Did Modi’s alleged upcoming travel on the same aircraft model play a role in preferential treatment or safety compromise?
  • Was the crash part of a diversion tactic from ongoing controversies like election funding, inflation, or the Agnipath protest resurgence?

While these claims have no official backing, their viral spread on Twitter (now X), Reddit, and Instagram played a role in Modi becoming a trending topic—for the wrong reasons.

The Role of Satire and Memes

Trolling wasn’t limited to conspiracy theories. It took the form of:

  • Memes comparing Modi’s foreign tours with aviation disasters.
  • Jokes like: “Modi flying high, the nation crashing down.”
  • Hashtags such as #PlaneTruth, #WhereIsModi, and #CrashAndRule.

Pages known for political satire like Unreal India and AndhBhaktMemes gained millions of interactions over the next 48 hours.

Political Angle—Is This Fair?

Opposition Leaders Join In

Leaders from the Congress, AAP, and TMC subtly or directly questioned the PM’s priorities.

  • Rahul Gandhi: “While families mourn, the PM prepares for another overseas rally.”
  • Arvind Kejriwal: “Air India must be probed, but silence from the top only adds to doubt.”

BJP’s Counterattack

In response, BJP spokespersons accused the opposition of “politicizing tragedy” and said:

“This is not the time for politics. The PM is deeply disturbed by the crash and monitoring the situation.”

Media and Narrative Wars

Traditional Media

News channels like NDTV, India Today, and Times Now covered the technical side of the crash, black box analysis, and air traffic control recordings.

However, TV debates soon pivoted to Modi’s silence and the online backlash, fueling the fire further.

Digital Media

Digital-first platforms like The Wire, Scroll, and OpIndia took divergent stands:

  • The Wire: “Why Modi Must Break His Silence on National Tragedies”
  • OpIndia: “Trolls Use Plane Crash to Push Anti-Modi Agenda—Shameful!”

This fragmented coverage polarized public opinion further, with no middle ground.

The Deeper Issues at Play

Centralization of Blame

In a hyper-centralized political environment, every issue—good or bad—is attributed to the top leader. Modi has cultivated a strongman image, and in times of crisis, that image becomes the focus of public scrutiny.

Trust Deficit

A section of the population has grown skeptical of the government’s transparency, especially after past controversies like:

  • COVID-19 data handling
  • Pegasus surveillance scandal
  • Farmers’ protest crackdowns

This lack of trust leads to knee-jerk reactions and trolling even in the absence of concrete proof.

Trolling Culture in India

The internet has given rise to a culture of trolling—often bordering on cyberbullying. Modi, being a polarizing figure, is frequently the center of such storms, especially on platforms like X and Facebook.

Trolls, Truth, and Tragedy

The trolling of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Air India plane crash reflects the deep polarization of Indian society. While it is important to hold leaders accountable, misinformation and conspiracy theories only weaken public discourse and trivialize tragedy.

As investigations continue and the truth emerges from the black box, it’s crucial for both the public and the media to focus on facts, not fiction.

The incident is not just a technical failure—it is a mirror to how India reacts to crisis, and how political narratives often hijack genuine grief.

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