PM Modi Tells Ministers to ‘Go Where the Youth Are’: Pushes Instagram Reels Amid Student Protests

In a significant push to expand the Central Government’s digital outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised his Cabinet colleagues to actively connect with young Indians through Instagram Reels and interactive online sessions.

The suggestion was made during a recent Cabinet meeting, where the Prime Minister emphasized that a large section of India’s youth spends considerable time on Instagram, making it an important platform for public engagement.

According to officials familiar with the meeting, PM Modi asked ministers how many of them actively use Instagram and highlighted that crores of young people access the platform every day.”Young people are just on Instagram. This is a potential segment of citizens that we all need to connect with,” the Prime Minister reportedly told his Cabinet colleagues.

Focus on Reels and Interactive Content

PM Modi encouraged every minister to regularly create Instagram Reels and interactive content that explains government initiatives in a simple and engaging manner.

He also suggested that ministers should conduct interactive sessions with young people, allowing them to communicate directly with citizens while highlighting the work being carried out by their respective ministries.

The move reflects the government’s increasing focus on digital communication as social media continues to shape public discourse, especially among Generation Z.

Announcement Came Amid NEET Paper Leak Protests

The Prime Minister’s advice comes at a time when the government is facing widespread protests over the NEET question paper leak controversy.

Thousands of protesters, including a large number of students, have gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding accountability over the examination issue. Among their key demands is the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Earlier this week, clashes were reported after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session, with several students reportedly sustaining injuries during police action.

PM Modi Announces Measures Against Paper Leaks

Hours before the Cabinet meeting, PM Modi released a video statement across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram, outlining the government’s proposed measures to tackle examination paper leaks.

Calling paper leaks a serious concern, the Prime Minister said the issue has deeply affected lakhs of students and their families.

He announced that the government is working on establishing fast-track courts to ensure quicker action in paper leak cases. According to PM Modi, the proposal received departmental approval and would be discussed by the Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament.

The proposed legislation aims to strengthen the legal framework against examination-related fraud and improve accountability.

ALSO READ : ‘Stand up before it’s safe’: Munawar Faruqui questions celebrities’ delayed response to student protests

Instagram Following Sees Sharp Growth

Following the release of his video message, PM Modi’s official Instagram account reportedly gained around one million new followers within a single day, highlighting the platform’s growing influence in political communication.

The increase also underscores the government’s strategy of using social media to directly reach younger audiences.

Government Meets Student Representatives

Meanwhile, representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), one of the groups associated with the ongoing protests, met Union Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh to present their demands.

According to CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka, the government has sought additional time to respond to the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. He also claimed that the government has expressed in-principle agreement on demands related to compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and the withdrawal of legal cases filed against protesting students.

However, government sources have indicated that Dharmendra Pradhan continues to enjoy the support of the BJP leadership, and his resignation is not currently under consideration.

Digital Outreach Takes Centre Stage

With social media playing an increasingly important role in public engagement, the Prime Minister’s latest message signals a broader effort to strengthen communication between the government and India’s youth.

As Parliament prepares to debate proposed anti-paper leak legislation, the coming weeks are expected to be crucial both for education reforms and for the government’s outreach strategy on digital platforms.