Dubai: Over the weekend, Indian expatriates residing in the UAE, along with individuals of various nationalities including Emiratis, Britons and Pakistanis, were taken aback when they received a WhatsApp message on their smartphones from an Indian number. The message, which included a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the form of a PDF attachment, sought feedback and suggestions on the Indian government's schemes and initiatives.
Reactions from Recipients
Dubai-based Pakistani journalist Asma Zain expressed her confusion regarding the message's relevance, especially considering her non-Indian background. "I received the message at midnight. It left me wondering: what sort of suggestions could Mr. Modi possibly need from me? And more importantly, should I even be providing them?".
Similarly, a British resident of Dubai, who had recently travelled to India for work, initially assumed the message pertained to his professional engagements, adding to the perplexity among recipients.
Meanwhile, Indian recipients expressed curiosity about how their numbers were obtained and the purpose behind the message.
Many recipients, regardless of nationality, expressed concerns over the perceived breach of their data privacy, questioning how the Indian government acquired their contact information.
In the letter addressed to "my dear family members," Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of receiving feedback and support to fulfil the resolve of building a prosperous India. The letter coincides with the announcement of the general elections and outlines the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ambitious goals, including the vision of a developed India by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat agenda.
BJP's Election Campaign
Central to the BJP's campaign is the promise of transformative social changes, technological innovations and economic reforms. However, opposition parties have criticized these efforts, alleging political propaganda disguised as citizen feedback.
The Kerala Congress denounced the attached PDF as campaign material, accusing Prime Minister Modi of misusing government resources for political gain. Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor also took to social media to share concerns over privacy violations.
UAE-based consultant Anthony J Permal's LinkedIn post garnered attention, with screenshots of the WhatsApp message sparking discussions about privacy laws and ethical considerations.
The unexpected WhatsApp message from Prime Minister Modi has sparked a mix of reactions among expatriates in the UAE, raising questions about privacy, political outreach and the role of non-Indian residents in providing feedback to the Indian government's initiatives. As the election season unfolds, the incident highlights the complexities of digital communication and citizen engagement in the globalized world.