Video: Modi Chalisa at Press Club event sparks row; then a clarification

Viral videos of the Modi Chalisa event triggered a wave of criticism on social media, prompting the Press Club of India to clarify that it had not organised the gathering.The Modi Chalisa event at the Press Club triggered criticism on social media. (PTI Photo)A cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, depicted as Lord Ram, was worshipped on the premises of the Press Club of India in New Delhi, while participants recited a ‘Modi Chalisa’. The visuals triggered a wave of criticism on social media, prompting the Press Club to clarify that it had not organised the event.The event on Thursday was organised by members associated with the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board.The viral videos showed four to five people performing an aarti before the cutout of the Prime Minister with a bow in his hand.The participants were also seen reciting the ‘Bhagwan Shri Narendra Modi Chalisa’ and chanting slogans such as, “Jai, Jai Modi, Har, Har Modi.” A banner at the venue also carried the words “Bhagwan Shri Narendra Modi Chalisa.” Modi Chalisa event at Press Club of India, New Delhi. (PTI Photo) As criticism mounted, the Press Club issued a clarification and said the event was stopped after the organisers violated the terms of the rental agreement."The Press Club of India has noticed that a photo/video of an event held at its premises earlier today is circulating on social media. It is hereby clarified that the Club had not organised the event," the journalists' body tweeted. "The hall was hired for the purpose of holding a press conference by an organisation, but when terms for renting out the place were violated by it, the Club authorities immediately intervened, and it was stopped," it added.Speaking to news agency PTI, Rajan Singh, vice-president of the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board, said the group planned to construct a temple dedicated to what he called “Lord Shri Narendra Modi ji”. He claimed the temple would be built at a cost of Rs 112 crore on five acres of land.He said the temple was being planned to acknowledge what he described as the Modi government's efforts to secure rights and opportunities for the transgender community."For the first time ever, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that the transgender community gets its rights... If we want to construct a temple for him, what is wrong with it?" Singh said.The person leading the group which came up with "Modi Chalisa" claims "Modi Temple" in Bihar will come up at cost of 112 crores. The idol will be of the same height as PM Modi and will be made of gold. Funds and land for the temple will be allocated by Bihar Government, he https://t.co/XbbIEj8D2i pic.twitter.com/GKNkogCVlo— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 21, 2026He also defended the proposed temple against criticism over portraying a sitting Prime Minister as a deity, saying the government had provided the transgender community with rights and employment opportunities.Singh also claimed that the proposed temple would feature a "gold statue of PM Modi, with the idol's height matching that of the Prime Minister.Without providing evidence, he further claimed that the Bihar government would allocate land and funds for the project.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Aug 21, 2026 12:32 IST