Let’s be real: the absence of unscripted press conferences from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks volumes. It’s not just about promoting a controlled narrative; it’s a strategic choice that reflects a broader pattern of avoiding accountability. In an age where transparency is touted as essential, Modi is playing the media like a grand piano, avoiding tough questions and dodging scrutiny that every leader should face.

Compare this to how U.S. presidents, like Joe Biden, are often grilled by reporters in press briefings. Yes, corporate media like CNN and MSNBC can be irritatingly partisan, but at least they demand answers—most of the time. Meanwhile, Modi presents a curated image, and boy does it show. His cozy relationship with outlets like Times Now ensures that he’s framed as the victorious leader, while dissenting voices are pushed to the margins, if allowed in at all.

Who benefits from this carefully manicured chaos? Certainly not the Indian public, who deserves real dialogue on pressing issues like economic policies and communal tensions. Instead, they get a commercial-free infomercial masquerading as leadership. If Modi thinks he’s pulling the wool over our eyes, he might want to check the mirror—because it’s not just about governance; it’s about a democracy that should allow for gritty, uncomfortable conversations.