Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched two surgical strikes in recent days on those who criticise his government without any basis, and get angry only for the sake of it. The first was coining the term ‘Dimagi Naxal’, and now PM Modi has used a more Indian, more relatable, and considerably more entertaining term- ‘ Naraz Phupha ‘, the perpetually angry uncle; almost every Indian has one.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), PM Modi used the phrase while describing those who find something wrong with practically every major initiative. From UPI and chip manufacturing to the new Parliament building, high-speed rail and other projects, Modi suggested that some critics behave like the relative who arrives at a family function already annoyed and then spends the entire evening complaining why everything is wrong.
For these ‘Naraz Phuphas’ at every function, sometimes there is not enough paneer in Matar Paneer, sometimes the Naan is not hot enough, sometimes the music is not to taste, sometimes the floral decorations are an eyesore. They just love to complain about everything. Same thing these phuphas are doing when it comes to government policies; nothing is ever good enough. Why concentrate on manufacturing, why grow at 7.8%, why offend the US and buy oil from Russia, why appease the US and not buy more oil from Russia. It is amazing what all these puhphas can get angry about, and PM Modi took a humorous dig at them.
And, predictably, the “naraz phuphas” did not take the joke particularly well. Which, ironically, may have been the point.
Imagine being given the perfect opportunity to prove that you are not an angry uncle, and then responding by becoming extremely angry about being called an angry uncle. It is almost too perfect.
The phrase immediately triggered political reactions, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticising Modi for turning what was supposed to be an interaction with young students into a political attack.
Sanjay Raut, who has a comment on everything, said that PM Modi is making these comments because he is scared of Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray (Hain?), and Mamata Banerjee.
“PM Modi is lying that GDP growth is at 7.8%.
PM is scared of Rahul, Uddhav in Maharashtra & Mamata in Bengal; voice of a scared person.”
– Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on PM Modi’s ‘naraz Phupha’ statement pic.twitter.com/9ydnplrxBZ— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) September 6, 2026
One can almost picture the scene, someone hears “naraz phupha”, becomes furious, holds a press conference about how calling someone “naraz phupha” is inappropriate, and thereby provides an excellent demonstration of the original allegation. It is political satire writing itself.
Modi’s SRCC speech was deliberately sprinkled with contemporary language. He called SRCC alumni “OGs” and used other Gen-Z expressions while discussing the college’s century-long legacy. The Prime Minister also contrasted India’s economic position in 2013 with the present, pointing to the latest 7.8% GDP growth and arguing that critics who once saw India as part of the “Fragile Five” are now finding the country’s growth difficult to digest.
The interesting part is that the “naraz phupha” remark may end up with a longer political life than some statistics.
After all, political criticism is legitimate. Governments should be questioned, policies should be scrutinised, and leaders should be held accountable.
But there is a difference between criticising a government and being permanently offended by everything it does.
And if the response to being called a “naraz phupha” is to become even more naraz, then perhaps the Prime Minister accidentally discovered the world’s simplest political personality test.
