Kanpur councilor faces mockery after performing death ritual to celebrate Modi's birthday

A councilor from Kanpur has drawn widespread criticism and become the subject of social media ridicule after celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday in a manner typically reserved for honoring the deceased, sparking a debate over cultural protocol and political propriety.

Akhilesh Kumar Bajpai, the councilor representing Ward 77 Barra West in Kanpur, appeared to get carried away by his emotions while marking the Prime Minister's birthday. In his enthusiasm to celebrate the occasion, Bajpai garlanded a photograph of PM Modi in his office and lit a lamp in front of it. He then shared the photograph on his social media account, apparently unaware of the cultural implications of his gesture.

The moment the photograph surfaced on social media, it triggered confusion and disbelief among users. According to Hindu tradition, the ritual of garlanding a photograph and lighting a lamp before it is customarily performed on death anniversaries or birth anniversaries of deceased persons, not on the birthdays of living individuals. Birthdays of living persons are typically celebrated by cutting cakes, planting trees, or undertaking service activities.

Opposition councilors have seized the opportunity to take potshots at Bajpai. They suggest that his actions reflect less respect for the Prime Minister and more a lack of understanding of proper protocol and cultural practices.

Social media users have flooded the post with sarcastic comments, with many asking, "Is this a birthday or a death anniversary?" The photograph has now become a topic of animated discussion in the corridors of the Kanpur Municipal Corporation, with the incident highlighting how political enthusiasm can sometimes lead to embarrassing cultural missteps.