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New Delhi, March 2 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he is contemplating giving up social media presence.
"This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted," he tweeted from the handle @narendramodi.
The tweet created a flutter as within minutes #NoSir started trending with social media users urging Modi not to give up his social media accounts.
The Congress took a swipe at the prime minister, with Rahul Gandhi tweeting "Give up hatred, not social media accounts" after tagging Modi's post.
The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media. He has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram.
The Twitter handle of Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers.
In September 2019, PM Modi was the third most followed world leader on the microblogging site, behind only US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama.
The Prime Minister was the first Indian to cross the 50-million followers mark on Twitter.
Reacting to PM's tweet, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala posted, "Respected Modi ji, Earnestly wish you would give this advice to the concerted army of trolls, who abuse-intimidate-badger-threaten others every second in your name! Sincere Regards, Citizens of India."
Within minutes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet saying that he is thinking of giving up his social media accounts, scores of netizens urged him not to quit the various social media platforms as 'No Sir' trended on Twitter.
Prime Minister Modi sent the social media buzzing with his tweet, "This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted."
In about an hour, the tweet had been retweeted over 26,000 times, with comments of people pouring in almost every second.
Within minutes, 'No Sir' started trending on Twitter with people's reactions varying from shock to confusion.
Several netizens urged him not to quit social media.
"People Around The World Love You So Much Modi Ji. You May Take A Short Break From Social Media If You Want But, #NoSir We Requesting You Musn't Leave Social Media (sic)," a user tweeted.
"Am Narendra Modi fan. If Modi ji quits - I am off as well," said another user on Twitter.
Some netizens even offered explanations over why the prime minister was contemplating giving up his accounts.
"No sir.. We know that you are upset with the misuse of social media but we need you," a Twitter user said.
It was not just reactions of people that poured in on Twitter, but memes began to appear as well.
One meme said, "People on all social media platforms to Modi Ji: 'Jane nahin denge tujhe'" -- with the snapshot of a scene from the popular '3 Idiots' song'.
Some netizens were just plain shocked by Modi's tweet.
"You inspired us nationalists to be active on social media!...And now you are saying you'll be leaving social media! I'm shocked looking at this tweet! Modi ji, without you, we are nothing on Social Media," a user tweeted.
The prime minister is one of the most-followed world leaders on social media. He has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 44 million on Facebook and 35.2 million on Instagram.
The Twitter handle of the Prime Minister's Office has 32 million followers.
In September 2019, PM Modi was the third most followed world leader on the microblogging site, behind only US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama.
The prime minister was the first Indian to cross the 50-million of followers mark on Twitter.
The Congress on Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his tweet that he was thinking of giving up social media with Rahul Gandhi saying "give up hatred, not social media accounts".
The Congress leader's dig came after Prime Minister Modi sent the social media abuzz with his tweet.
"This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube. Will keep you all posted," Modi tweeted.
Tagging Modi's tweet, Gandhi wrote on Twitter, "Give up hatred, not social media accounts."
Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted, "Respected Modi ji, Earnestly wish you would give this advice to the concerted army of trolls, who abuse-intimidate-badger-threaten others every second in your name! Sincere Regards, Citizens of India."