PM’s claim generates controversy

Timing of Modi’s claim of listening to Rabindra Sangeet on radio draws criticism

An old AM/FM radio

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat that he used to listen to “Rabindra Sangeet” -- songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore -- at 5.30 a.m. has created a controversy in the bard’s home State.

Former All India Radio (AIR) officials and Opposition party leaders have questioned the claim.

“Around 5.30 a.m., Rabindra Sangeet would play on radio and I had a habit of listening to Rabindra Sangeet waking up early in the morning. However, I didn’t know the language (Bengali),” the Prime Minister said in Sunday's

Mann Ki Baat.

Former Assistant Director of AIR Kolkata Jagannath Basu said he was not aware of any radio station during that time (PM’s childhood) that broadcasted Rabindra Sangeet at 5.30 a.m. He pointed out that AIR Kolkata broadcasts Rabindra Sangeet in a programme at 7.45 a.m.

‘Casual remark’

“I am not aware whether any radio station broadcasts Rabindra Sangeet at that time (5.30 a.m). Everyone knows that Rabindra Sangeet is played on AIR Kolkata’s programme at 7.45 a.m. It was very popular back then,” Mr. Basu told

The Hindu .

Mr. Basu, however, added that perhaps the Prime Minister mentioned that time of 5.30 a.m. “casually” as it would be difficult for him to tell the specific time.

Scoffing at the Prime Minister’s remarks, Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said: “The Prime Minister’s remarks show that he doesn’t practice what he preaches. He should know when Rabindra Sangeet is played on radio. I really cannot understand what radio station he was talking about.”

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was sceptical about the Prime Minister’s comments. “I have never heard that Rabindra Sangeet was played on radio at 5.30 a.m. Hopefully, one can know through an RTI query,” he told journalists.

‘Left with no issues’

State BJP vice-president Sayantan Basu argued that the Opposition had no issues to speak about and hence were raising a hue and cry about the Prime Minister’s remark. “How do they know when Rabindra Sangeet was played on radio at that time (during Prime Minister’s childhood),” he asked.