<div><em><strong>Sutanu Guru</strong> argues how repeated gaffes or “communication” failures at the Telecom and IT ministries are denting the image of the Narendra Modi regime</em></div><div> </div><div>There is a cruel joke doing the rounds about the Union Telecom and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. When he was a BJP spokesperson frequenting TV channels during the UPA regime, Mr Prasad had a habit of demanding resignations of various notables of the UPA regime. His detractors are now using social media platforms to wonder why he is not demanding his own resignation! Now, even die hard critics of the Modi regime- and there are legions of them- will not pass verdict that Prasad has proven to be a failure. But even Modi fans will admit that some unnecessary controversies surrounding the portfolios handled by Prasad have badly damaged the reputation of Modi as an “effective communicator” who values the power bestowed by the mobile phone and social media on the average citizen. </div><div> </div><div>There have been at least five instances where the Modi regime has been publicly embarrassed. The first such instance was when there was a judicial hearing about the validity of the draconian Section 66(A) of the IT Act. During the UPA regime, the section had been widely seen to be missed by authorities and the police to stifle dissent. Prime Minister Modi, who was a candidate then, had often publicly opposed the section as undemocratic. And yet, the IT ministry under Mr Prasad seemed to be sending confusing signals about whether the government wanted the section to stay or go. The Supreme Court eventually struck down the section, but Modi critics lost no opportunity-and legitimately so- for lampooning his alleged about turns on important issues.</div><div> </div><div>The second occasion when the Modi regime was taken to the cleaners related to the issue of banning porn. Out of the blue, the government banned porn sites across the country. When there were fierce voices of protest and reasoned critique that it would be both silly and impossible to ban porn sites, the government sought to take refuge under so called orders of the Supreme Court. After it was lampooned mercilessly by both Indian and global media - including social media - the government lifted the ban.</div><div> </div><div>And then came an even more silly “draft order” from the ministry about issues related to encryption. Suddenly, the media was full of stories about you and me had to store our social media and What’s App messages for a period of 90 days or face a prison term. Forget Modi critics, even Modi fans were outraged with this. Some Modi fans came up with a lame excuse that it was mischief created by some bureaucrats. That didn't help a bit and a red faced Minister Prasad had to publicly withdraw the stupid draft.</div><div> </div><div>Even as all this was happening, mobile phone subscribers in India were getting disgusted with the issue of “call drops”. The quality of services provided by telecom companies in India became a butt of jokes as millions suffered from this menace. Not much was heard about Minister Prasad taking a pro active step to at least try and address the issue. It took a stern message and a tick off from Prime Minister Modi for Minister Prasad to start making appropriate noises about how telecom companies in India must address the issue of call drops. Meanwhile, call drops continue. </div><div> </div><div>The fifth and most recent “gaffe” relates to the selection of brand ambassadors for the Digital India campaign, launched with much fanfare by Modi and Prasad towards the end of July this year. Even as Modi was creating a storm of goodwill and effective marketing in California, it emerged that an “ethical hacker” named Ankit Fadia was one of the brand ambassadors of Digital India. Many in the media pointed out that his credentials to be the brand ambassador of such a prestigious project were suspect, at best. The government promptly issued a clarification stating Fadia was not a brand ambassador. Within hours, the government issued another clarification that Fadia indeed was a brand ambassador. More egg on the face, as they say. </div><div> </div><div>Do remember, the carefully built persona and public image of Prime Minister Modi revolves around his passion for telecom and IT. What message foes out when the Telecom and IT ministries of his government fail such basic tests of communication. Perhaps the time has come to stop blaming only mischievous bureaucrats. How about some introspection Mr Prasad? </div><div> </div>
