India news: Modi silent as Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike enters 20th day
Skip next section Modi's 'unwillingness' to hold press conferences criticized by journalist body 07/17/2026 July 17, 2026 Modi's 'unwillingness' to hold press conferences criticized by
Skip next section Modi's 'unwillingness' to hold press conferences criticized by journalist body 07/17/2026 July 17, 2026 Modi's 'unwillingness' to hold press conferences criticized by journalist body Modi has not held any open, unscripted press conferences in 12 years Image: Hollie Adams/REUTERS Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was called out by a journalist association for his "unwillingness to address unscripted press conferences" on Thursday. During Modi's recent trip to New Zealand, Indian foreign ministry official Rudrendra Tandon told a New Zealand journalist that the prime minister preferred to communicate directly with the electorate when asked why he had not held a press conference during the visit.
In a statement posted on X, the Editors Guild of India called this argument "deeply flawed." The journalist association said that the prime minister, who has been in power since 2014, "has been reluctant to share his views" with the media on major issues including the Middle East energy crisis. "Scripted, one-way communications, largely through social media channels, are not a substitute for public interaction with independent media," the statement said. In his 12 years in office, Modi has only held one press conference, according to reports.
Even at that briefing in 2019, Modi only spoke briefly before deflecting all questions to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He has not held any open, unscripted press conferences. In May, during a trip to Oslo, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng sparked controversy after she called out to him after a press appearance, asking why he does not take questions. Lyng got no response. Modi has also not taken any questions on the Cockroach Janta Party protest calling for the resignation of one his ministers, or the hunger strike of activist Sonam Wangchuk which has entered its 20th day.
India is ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
The BriefWire