On Monday, Indian government made a spectacular U-turn and succumbed to Chinese pressure to withdraw visa already granted to the Uyghur leader Dolkun Isa.
Germany-based Uyghur activist, Dolkun Isa, had been granted a visa to attend a conference in Dharamsala this week.
The Modi government’s decision spread with a lightening speed as the opposition parties mounted attack targetting the prime minister calling him weak.
Not so long ago, China had vetoed India’s bid to declare Masood Azhar a terrorist at the United Nations.
India’s decision to cancel Uyghur leader a visa also made Modi a subject of ridicule with people quoting several pro-government media headlines, that had declared the original decision to grant visa to a Chinese rebel as a sign of new strength by the central government.
A day later, social media continued to attack the central government. That’s perhaps they were outraged by unconvincing explanation of the certain ministers in Modi government.
Kiren Rijiju, junior home minister and also someone who looks after the visa affairs, appeared to have made the matter worse by saying that his government wasn’t aware of the Interpol red corner notice against Isa. His comments earned the government more ridicule particularly because the original media reporting on issuing visa to Uyghur leader had prominently stated the Interpol notice against him.
Many on social media asked if the government had issued visa to a prominent dissident leader from the neighbouring country without having checked the applicant’s credential.
On Tuesday, incensed social media users launched a new trend #ChinaSlapsModiBack with many posting old tweets of Modi, who, as opposition leader, was quick to criticise the Manmohan Singh government for being ‘weak.’
Here’s a snapshot of twitter conversation on this topic:
PM needs to learn that Governance is not about rhetoric! It is about bringing forth SOLUTIONS. #ChinaSlapsModiBackhttps://t.co/dAfnKgLuIz
— Bhaskar Sharma (@FromBhaskar) April 26, 2016
Had Dolkun visited India, Modi would have proven his mettle but he buckled under China pressure & cancelled his visa!!#ChinaSlapsModiBack
— JASTEJ SINGH ਜਸਤੇਜ ਸਿੰਘ جسٹن (@jastej) April 26, 2016
माना कि आपके जबान की कोई कीमत नहीं है पर कम सेकम वैश्विकस्तर पर भारत के प्रधानमन्त्री पद की गरिमा का तो ख्याल किए होते#ChinaSlapsModiBack
— Keshav (@AFreeMan__) April 26, 2016
A Balloon of 56" Inches Diameter
getting Picture pic.twitter.com/f7h1QNVyxo— AAP Anandpur S Zone (@AapAps2017) April 26, 2016
Succumbing To China – depicts India as a nation which can be bullied and arm twisted!#ChinaSlapsModiBack
— Keshava (@Kumar_Ke5hav) April 26, 2016
Once again he shows lack of ability in taking powerful decisions ,remain always under pressure either from China Or RSS#ChinaSlapsModiBack
— NAvED (@PrachaNaved) April 26, 2016
भाजपा और मोदी अपने गुनाहों को छुपाने के लिए पाकिस्तान का राग अलापते है और नवाज़ कश्मीर का राग अलापते है। #Ditto #ChinaSlapsModiBack
— رشید (@Being_Main) April 26, 2016
NDA Govt has been absolutely lax in securing Border..
When will @narendramodi ji Wake up??? #ChinaSlapsModiBack pic.twitter.com/cpxaSRrWV1— AAP Anandpur S Zone (@AapAps2017) April 26, 2016