It all started off when Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, challenged the captain of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli for a fitness challenge. The captain who completed his task, tagged three people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging them.
Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a #FitnessChallenge to your friends on social media. Here's my video ?and I challenge @iHrithik, @imVkohli & @NSaina to join in? pic.twitter.com/pYhRY1lNEm
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) May 22, 2018
I have accepted the #FitnessChallenge by @ra_THORe sir. Now I would like to challenge my wife @AnushkaSharma , our PM @narendramodi ji and @msdhoni Bhai for the same. ? #HumFitTohIndiaFit #ComeOutAndPlay pic.twitter.com/e9BAToE6bg
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) May 23, 2018
This game is now trending on the social media platforms and Prime Minister has immediately responded to it saying “Challenge accepted, Virat! I will be sharing my own #FitnessChallenge video soon.”
Challenge accepted, Virat! I will be sharing my own #FitnessChallenge video soon. @imVkohli #HumFitTohIndiaFit https://t.co/qdc1JabCYb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2018
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
PM Modi had started the Fit India movement through his Mann Ki Baat programme. Since then he has been very vocal about people’s health and has constantly been urging people to focus on fitness, encouraging their participation. After when #fitnesschallenge became a trending topic on Twitter, Bollywood actors and actress have also followed suit.
Rathore, who tagged Virat Kohli, also has tagged Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan in his tweet challenging the Krish actor. Kohli, who was replying to Rathore’s tag, passed the baton not only to Prime Minister but also to his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
This initiative makes me so proud ! Bravo @Ra_THORe #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge this is how I commute to my office everyday. sitting static in a car is such a waste. Walk, cycle, jog, feel the earth, feel India ?? get FIT! pic.twitter.com/twoI1vna9c
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) May 22, 2018
But, this has landed Hrithik in a trouble as the Mumbai traffic police saw the actor riding a bicycle with no helmets on while using a mobile phone.
I accept your challenge @imVKohli. Here’s my video for the #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge. I’d like to nominate my friends, @DipikaPallikal and @Varun_dvn Great initiative @Ra_THORe sir! #ComeOutAndPlay pic.twitter.com/SmdmkArT6U
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) May 24, 2018
T 2816 – – @Ra_THORe we accept the challenge of #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge .. main mantra : BE CONTINUOUSLY MOBILE .. get up for every errand yourself, gym each day, push away that excess morsel of temptation, drive or cycle yourself, see the Sun more often !? pic.twitter.com/4SQ2jRiSuy
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone/status/999876724551634944?s=19
However, the bigger problem, which gave the game a new spin was that PM Modi accepted the challenge and was also being oral about it on Twitter, but has not responded to the Sterile protests that has taken the country by storm.
Eleven people died on Tuesday in police firing after protests against Sterlite got violent. The protesters had allegedly attacked the District Collectorate demanding the closure of Vedanta Sterlite’s copper smelter in Tuticorin. As thousands gathered violating the prohibitory orders, the police initially used tear gas, lathi charge and then opened fire at the crowd.
While Kollywood actors have expressed their anger and grief over the death of 11 protesters who were shot dead by the police, the Prime Minister has comfortably remained silent. This has started a rage of tweets and comments on Modi.
Kollywood actors-turned-politicians Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have made their comments over the issue on Twitter. Kamal has also visited the place and people who were injured during the riot and demanded justice. Not only the senior actors’ but stars like Dhanush, Vijay Sethupathi and Vishal have also commented on the burning issue.
#தூத்துக்குடி துப்பாக்கி சூட்டில் உயிரிழந்தவர்களுக்கு ஃபாரிஸில் மௌன அஞ்சலி செலுத்தினார்.@dhanushkraja
தன் வேதனையும்,வருத்தத்தையும் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். #BanSterliteSaveThoothukudi#SaveThoothukudi #Thuthukudi@rameshlaus @LMKMovieManiac @vinod_offl @RIAZtheboss @kumarandop pic.twitter.com/owt9VOtcbP
— Actor Dhanush FC (@ActorDhanushFc) May 25, 2018
This, has in turn caused people to question Modi, urging him to break silence on the Thoothukudi massacre.
Shri @narendramodi is accepting #FitnessChallenge from sports stars. How about accepting a #FitnessToRuleChallenge from citizens – Break silence on #Vedanta #ThoothukudiMassacre, stop telling lies, provide jobs, protect farmers, jail lynchers, sack party men who protect rapists?
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) May 24, 2018
A report by Hindustan Times suggests that Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue. “Why is our eloquent, tweet-a-minute Prime Minister silent on the terrible disaster of Tuticorin? It is strange that the Prime Minister maintains silence on challenges of Tuticorin and women security, but has time to throw a counter-challenge on fitness. This is deplorable and reflects the mindset of this government,” he said.
#CompassionChallenge pic.twitter.com/9GdCvYDtdj
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 24, 2018
Photo courtesy: Hindustan Times
