PM Modi Advises Cabinet to Boost Instagram Presence for Youth Outreach

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged his Cabinet colleagues to increase their presence on Instagram, emphasising the platform's popularity among the youth. His advice came shortly after his own Instagram post, announcing stricter anti-paper leak laws, garnered over 305 million views and attracted nearly one million new followers.

During a post-Cabinet meeting interaction, the Prime Minister asked ministers about their active use of social media platforms, particularly Instagram. He highlighted that the platform is widely used by young people and should be leveraged to connect with them. This is not the first time Modi has stressed the importance of social media; in January 2023, he told the Council of Ministers that social media has become a primary information source for the youth.

Modi's own Instagram activity reflects this strategy. On Thursday night, he posted a video outlining the government's decision to strengthen laws against paper leaks, which received an overwhelming response. By Friday, the follow-up video expressing gratitude had already garnered 9.3 million views. Officials described this as a "successful connect" with Generation Z, a demographic that opposition parties have also been trying to engage.

The Prime Minister's emphasis on Instagram comes amid concerns that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which effectively used WhatsApp for outreach, may lose its edge with younger voters who prefer photo and short-video platforms. Modi, known for his tech-savviness, has consistently urged ministers to hold interactive sessions on Instagram and maintain an active social media presence.

Since joining Instagram in 2014, Modi has built a substantial following. His recent push for ministerial engagement on the platform underscores the government's focus on digital communication strategies to reach younger demographics.