NEW DELHI: In words that come in the context of politically heated, polarising and often abusive exchanges on social media, PM Narendra Modi urged people to refrain from spreading dirt through online platforms, saying this was not about ideology but norms of a decent society.

“We all should be careful as a quarrel between two families in a mohalla becomes national news nowadays,” Modi said while interacting via video bridge with his constituency Varanasi and added, “Let’s create an atmosphere of positive news about the country and share information that strengthens society.”

Social media has seen a persistent trend of BJP supporters and opponents going hammer and tongs at one another over issues as varied as cow vigilantism, economy, Rafale deal and Dalit issues with the fake news phenomenon further vitiating the atmosphere.

The PM said people at times overstepped bounds of decorum. “People hear or see something false and forward it. They don’t notice that how much damage they are doing to society. Some people use such words that do not behove any decent society. They say or write anything about women,” Modi said.

He said the issue was not about any political party or ideology but about all Indians.

“Everybody should train themselves to never spread dirt through social media,” the PM said. The ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’ or cleanliness drive was not just about sanitation but also about mental purity, he said, asking people to share good things around them on social media.

In the interaction with party workers, he called for sharing videos highlighting the “changing face of India”, saying the country was now witnessing “historic and unprecedented” progress.

Modi said every village in India now had electricity, schools and toilets while the country had become the largest manufacturer of mobile phones.

It had also become the fastest growing economy and fastest growing aviation market with more people flying than travelling in AC trains. “These developments will fill every Indian with pride,” he said.

Speaking about the development work carried out by his government in Varanasi, Modi said change was visible from roads to railway stations to its airport and that it was committed to the holy city’s progress.

