As online searches related to a possible lockdown in India started to pick up, a rumour started doing the rounds on social media claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dropped a hint about a possible lockdown similar to the one caused by COVID-19 during his recent address to Parliament. The buzz around this possible lockdown started to gain traction, with many searching for terms such as "India lockdown again" and "Is lockdown coming back in India?"
The buzz around this possible lockdown gained further traction following the government's decision to call an all-party meeting to assess the impact of the ongoing West Asian conflict on India's economy.
What PM Modi actually said
A closer reading of the Prime Minister’s speeches in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha shows that the claim is misleading. Modi did refer to the Covid-19 pandemic, but only as a past example of how India dealt with a global crisis.
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for being prepared and for being united in the face of the challenges emerging in the world. He also mentioned the conflict in West Asia, saying its impact on the economy will be felt for a long time and urged the citizens to remain alert and united, just as they were during the pandemic.
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He called on citizens to stay “prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic”, while cautioning that the ongoing war could have prolonged economic repercussions due to global disruptions.
“As we can see, the situation regarding this war is changing moment by moment. Therefore, I would also say to my fellow citizens that we must be prepared for every challenge. There is a strong possibility that the adverse effects of this war will last for a long time. But I assure the people of the country that the government is alert, ready, and working with full seriousness on strategy, taking every necessary decision”, he said.
He assured that the government is actively monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps. However, there was no mention of a lockdown in either speech.
Why confusion spread
The apparent cause for this confusion seems to be a combination of international and local issues. Issues in the supply chain due to the West Asia conflict, oil and gas route issues in the Strait of Hormuz, and fuel-saving activities in some countries have created this confusion.
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At the same time, the memories of the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID pandemic seem to have created more confusion for the public. This has led the general public to associate recent events with the lockdown.
There are no indications of any COVID-related emergency in India. The active cases are low, and the public health scenario is normal. The government is currently concerned about managing economic risks due to international disruptions.
The claim is false and misleading. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention any lockdown in his recent speeches. His reference to Covid-19 was only to underline preparedness and collective resilience during challenging times.
