The Teflon Coating – that PM Modi has enjoyed for years – is evidently starting to come off.(Part 1)
- Neil
- May 14, 2021
- 3 min read
Part 1) TEFLON COATING - India's case of Teflon Coating
Part 2) TEFLON COATING - How Alexei Navalny – through his engaging expose videos, is exposing the corrupt Russian system but is also removing the Teflon coating associated with President Putin. (In-depth investigation, Russia)
Release date of Part 2 - 21st May 2021.
Prime Minister Modi has enjoyed the power of the metaphoric phenomenon in political science called "Teflon Coating".
In political science, Teflon coating means a bad thing – that at least should be perceived as one by the majority of the public – and does not stick with the leader and their image.
Let's take a look at one example:
Demonetisation – "I am willing to stand in hours for our PM MODI", "he only thinks about the betterment of India", "At least he is trying" – all of these examples are perfect examples of Teflon Coating – the leader can be as reckless as they wish – but – this won't tarnish their image in the eyes of the public. People just can't seem to believe that their beloved Prime Minister could ever make such a huge blunder. They think the problem was the bureaucrats who failed to execute it. Yet, largely – these blunders went unnoticed due to the Teflon coating the Prime Minister has enjoyed since his landslide victory in 2014. The Aura of being invincible – to any criticism has spoilt the mindsets of BJP's leaders – but – now – they will be taught a lesson by Covid-19 and the people of India. This article doesn't mean to take Prime Minister Modi's image – and throw it down the drain – but to explore the various tactics and techniques political leaders use to manipulate the perspective of the public.
Before we look into how the image of the P.M can't be tarnished, we must understand how "Teflon coating" works.
Nationalism: Anything Modi is anything India. Anything bad about Modi – will reflect in the name of "India". Whenever people think Modi, they think India, and hence, when there is criticism, they feel that it is a direct attack on PM Modi.
Controlling the Narrative: Whether it is censoring movies critical of the prime minister, calling anything critical of the prime minister – or his party a conspiracy – the BJP manages to control the narrative by using the massive funds they receive in the non-transparent system of "Electoral Bonds" – it allows them to spread all the propaganda they wish to disinform, discredit, and distract them from the "crimes" or "bad decisions" they make.
Media: The Indian Media is notorious for being corrupt, insensitive, unreliable, and is also known for communalising anything they want. They help spread the narrative of Prime Minister Modi – whether it be to show his strength (quite literally), to show how much he sleeps, they portray the image of him as a Ferocious, and vigilant leader – when evidently – by his Covid-19 handling – he – is – not.
For years, India was in the dark – obsessing over PM Modi, and international visits – which was symbolic of PM Modi's so-called "success", when they should have been focusing on his governance and leadership. the thing we need to ask is "What have you accomplished in your term"– the people of India though – have woken up. He was seen as a responsible leader – but now, he has made an image – an image of a disgrace to India. The International Media's portrayal of him as shown to be crude, cruel, and malicious point of view – and even the Indian Media – when showing the ground handling – just can't hide it. PM Modi has failed India – more than once – and people, are starting to wake up.
Next Article:Part 2) TEFLON COATING - How Alexei Navalny – through his engaging expose videos, is exposing the corrupt Russian system but is also removing the Teflon coating associated with President Putin. (In-depth investigation, Russia)
Release date of Part 2 - 21st May 2021.
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Great article, Neil. I do hope that the gross incompetence an insensitivity displayed by Modi and his tribe of Yes men convinces a large enough majority of the Indian population to ensure he stays out of power in 2024. The one thing that the Modi-Shah combine is good at is spinning narratives and wooing the impressionable - there are millions of Indians - even seemingly sane and normal individuals - who still think he is a victim of some conspiracy and he is doing his very best. So, whether the Teflon coating is off or not..only time will tell. Lets hope they stand exposed for what they are and better sense prevalis.