Ex-CBI Chief Nageswara Rao hits back at Tejasvi Surya for defending Modi on English fluency
Says Modi-BJP-RSS ‘greatest Hindu Drohis in world history’
New Delhi: A sharp social media exchange unfolded over a viral video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which triggered online mockery about Modi’s English-speaking skills. While BJP MP Tejasvi Surya jumped to Modi’s defence in a long post praising his rise from poverty and his use of Hindi on global platforms as a symbol of “civilisational confidence,” the response from former CBI Director M. Nageswara Rao stood out for its biting tone and pointed criticism.
The row began when a user on X shared the video with the comment:
“Starmer seems to be having a charged discussion with Modi but does Modi understand any of it? I guess he was intelligent enough this time to prevent himself from laughing out loud, done when he has no clue. Do Indians deserve to watch this clown show?”
Starmer seems to be having a charged discussion with Modi but does Modi understand any of it?
— Devi (@DefiantDevii) June 18, 2025
I guess he was intelligent enough this time to prevent himself from laughing out loud, done when he has no clue.
Do Indians deserve to watch this clown show?
pic.twitter.com/K7PBdWcRUl
In response, Tejasvi Surya posted a long statement defending the Prime Minister. He accused a certain “class of Indians — fluent in English, insecure in identity” of mocking Modi not for his policies, but for not speaking “polished” English. Surya highlighted Modi’s humble background, lack of elite education, and self-made journey, claiming that Modi represents millions of Indians who were sidelined because they didn’t speak in an elite accent. He further added that Modi has cracked billion-dollar deals globally without faking an accent, and his use of Hindi on international stages is a sign of “India standing tall on its own terms.”
Over the past few days, a certain class of Indians — fluent in English, insecure in identity — has been mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking ‘polished’ English in global forums. Their ridicule reveals not his weakness, but their own deeply entrenched colonial… https://t.co/Kj5bPphYbS
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) June 19, 2025
But it was Nageswara Rao, a former CBI chief and one-time Modi supporter, who issued a strong rebuttal to Tejasvi Surya’s post, accusing him of misdirection and whitewashing real concerns.
“Tejasvi Surya Ji, your post is a masterclass in misdirection, sidestepping the real criticisms levelled against Modi, which is typical of the Goebbelsian propaganda of the Sangh Parivar,” Rao wrote in his reply on X.
Rao clarified that the issue was not Modi speaking Hindi at international forums, but his “uncouth conduct, exaggerated gestures, boisterous laughter, and attempts to fake fluency in English.” He compared this with former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who also spoke in Hindi on international platforms but was praised for his dignity and calm.
Modi has faced similar ridicule in the past for trying to speak English in a manner that appears forced or staged. Several clips have gone viral over the years, showing him using broken sentences, mispronunciations, and exaggerated mannerisms. Critics have often pointed out how he tries to appear fluent in English while making minimal sense, leading to online trolling. His “May the Force be with you,” said with awkward delivery during an event, and his sudden “Everything is fine in India” remark in English during the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in the US had also drawn public amusement and commentary.
Rao further attacked the narrative of Modi’s rise from “absolute poverty,” calling it a “big lie.” He pointed to Modi’s childhood photos in a suit and NCC uniform, foreign tours as a young adult, and other indicators which, according to him, contradict the image of extreme poverty. He also accused Modi of leading a lavish lifestyle today — from high-end outfits and luxury gadgets to customised jets — questioning the claim of a humble life.
Rao went on to call Modi’s international diplomacy “personal branding at government expense,” adding that there was a lack of global support for India during critical incidents like the Pahalgam massacre. He claimed that even close allies like Russia were growing distant, and economic deals under Modi lacked transparency and tangible benefits for common citizens.
He pointed to Modi’s ties with foreign-linked institutions like the CIA-linked ACYPL, questioning his alignment with national interests. Rao alleged that the government’s corruption had increased exponentially, citing the now-scrapped Electoral Bonds scheme and the lack of transparency in the PM CARES fund.
Rao also challenged the claim that Modi's leadership has restored civilisational pride, accusing the government of continuing minority appeasement, increasing caste-based division, and failing to deliver on long-promised reforms such as freeing temples from state control or amending Articles 25–30 for equal religious rights.
Concluding his post, Rao described the BJP-RSS-Modi trio as the “greatest Hindu drohis in world history,” a remark that went viral soon after.
Nageswara Rao's post drew widespread attention not only for its content but also because of the source. A retired IPS officer and former CBI chief, Rao was once seen as a supporter of Modi and the BJP. His strong criticism, therefore, signals a notable shift in tone and has intensified the debate around the PM’s public image and the limits of blind loyalty among BJP supporters.
Tejasvi Surya Ji,
— M. Nageswara Rao IPS (Retired) (@MNageswarRaoIPS) June 20, 2025
Your post is a masterclass in misdirection, sidestepping the real criticisms levelled against Modi, which is typical of the Goebbelsian propaganda of the Sangh Parivar.
The issue is not Modi’s lack of fluency in English. It is his uncouth conduct, exaggerated… https://t.co/bXbLFNo57U pic.twitter.com/2hJpZDh8l7
While Surya’s post was hailed by BJP loyalists, Rao’s reply has found traction among those disillusioned with Modi’s rhetoric and branding-heavy approach to leadership.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
