The prime minister said that even if it is meant as an earnest campaign, people should instead help the poor out.

As uncertainty over the coronavirus situation and the potential extension of the lockdown continues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came on Twitter to dispel news around a certain appeal going viral.

Taking a cue from the clapping and lights out campaigns, social media users have reportedly been organising an initiative to give PM Modi a five-minute standing ovation.

The prime minister has now appealed people to not indulge in the campaign.

Taking to his Twitter account, PM Modi wrote, "It has been brought to my attention that some people are campaigning to honour Modi by standing for five minutes. At first glance, it seems like mischief to drag Modi into controversy," he said.

, , — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 8, 2020

However, the prime minister said that even if it is meant as an earnest campaign, people should instead help the poor out.

"Maybe it is meant to be out of goodwill, yet I insist that if you really have so much love and want to honour Modi, then take the responsibility of a poor family, at least as long as the coronavirus crisis continues. There can be no greater honour for me than this," PM Modi said.

Millions of Indians across the country switched off lights at their homes and lit candles and diyas or turned on mobile phone torches on Sunday night, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to show the nation's "collective resolve and solidarity" in its fight against coronavirus with this symbolic gesture.

PM Modi had urged people across the country to switch off the lights at their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm to display the country's "collective resolve" to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

At many places the air resonated with the sounds of devotional songs, mantras and national anthem, in scenes similar to the ones seen across the country on March 22 when Modi had sought to rally Indians by asking them to come out briefly at 5 pm to show gratitude to health and other essential service providers.

The Prime Minister had asked people to clap or beat thalis on March 22 for five minutes at 5 pm while observing 'Janta Curfew' from 7 am to 9 pm to thank those working in essentials services, and had received an unprecedented and overwhelming response.