Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, May 23: Soon after emerging victorious in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped the prefix ‘Chowkidar’ from his Twitter profile.
"The people of India became Chowkidars and rendered great service to the nation. Chowkidar has become a powerful symbol to safeguard India from the evils of casteism, communalism, corruption and cronyism," Modi tweeted.
"Now, the time has come to take the Chowkidar Spirit to the next level. Keep this spirit alive at every moment and continue working for India's progress. The word 'Chowkidar' goes from my Twitter name but it remains an integral part of me. Urging you all to do the same too!" he added.
Several Twitter users on Thursday immediately followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to remove the prefix ‘Chowkidar from their Twitter handles.
Immediately after the tweet, the hashtag "Chowkidar Spirit" started trending on the micro-blogging platform.
"Mission accomplished... Chowkidar spirit will continue," tweeted one user.
"Right sir; Chowkidar Spirit to the next level. Spirit alive always," wrote another.
One user wrote: "Modi ji aapne Bola aur humne follow nai kiya aisa hoga kya. Let's keep chowkidar spirit within us, but lets remove it from our Twitter names...
In March, Modi tweeted a video with the hashtag '#MainBhiChowkidar' (I am also a watchman) and called all those a watchman who are fighting corruption, dirt, social evils and are working for the progress of India.
Soon after, the Prime Minister added 'Chowkidar' prefix to his Twitter handle, and several BJP leaders and the party followers followed.
Modi and other BJP leaders had added the prefix ‘Chowkidar’ (watchman) to their twitter handles as part of ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign that began ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in March. They called themselves as protectors of national interest and it struck a chord among his followers on social media, who too followed the trend.
At the same time, Congress alleged corruption in Rafale deal, launching an anti-campaign "Chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is a thief)". They said that Modi was chowkidar of the wealthy and that he looted poor to benefit Ambani, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.