John Oliver's Coverage Of PM Modi's 'War Rukwa Di Papa' Ad Goes Viral: Here's What You Need to Know

The day before the Lok Sabha polls 2024 results, the internet was set ablaze by a video of the latest installment of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. In his signature satirical style, Oliver took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly highlighting a controversial advertisement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).?

This ad featured a young girl crediting PM Modi with halting the still ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, exclaiming, “War rukwa di papa (He stopped the war, father).”

Titled "Indian Elections, Trump & Red Lobster," the episode also delved into visuals from PM Modi’s interviews with various journalists. While the episode is slated to be available on Indian YouTube on Thursday, Oliver acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding its airing in India, given potential changes to YouTube laws. He encouraged viewers with friends and family in India who are interested in watching it to explore alternative platforms.

'War rukwa di papa' & discourse around it

In April, BJP released an ad campaign that showed a student girl returning from Ukraine telling her father that PM Modi managed to stop the war there to rescue stranded Indian students. Social media couldn’t stop buzzing after the ad campaign went viral. The claims by the student in the ad had triggered a meme fest.

The said video was set in the premise of an unknown airport’s arrival gate where some troubled parents were waiting for their children. In the next few frames, a young woman was seen hugging her parents and claiming that the Prime Minister Modi had “stopped the war”. However, the promotional video didn't mention the countries in which the said “war” was stopped.

Subsequently, Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), had debunked these claims of India stopping the war between Ukraine and Russia. He had said that all these claims were “absolutely inaccurate.”

This claim came to the fore again in March 2024 after Prime Minister Modi posted the promotional video. The catchphrase from the video – “War Rukwa Di, Papa” – became the source of all memes and the meme fest reached a crescendo when Youtuber Dhruv Rathee, known for his in-depth videos on politics and other trending issues, too made a video about this claim.?

The ,magnitude of sharp reactions on this could be understood by the fact that the girl who featured in the video was?heavily trolled by opposition parties, internet users and YouTubers.?As per a FPJ report, the girl, who was identified as Priyanka?stopped stepping out of her house.?

However, in an interaction with Hindutan Times this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted two occasions when Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian students from the war zones in Ukraine.

As per EAM Jaishankar, in the first instance, during shelling in Kharkiv, PM Modi directly spoke to President Putin, urging him to halt the shelling near a safe zone negotiated by Indian and Russian authorities, which led to the cessation of shelling and the safe evacuation of students.

Jaishankar also conveyed that the second episode occurred in Sumy, where PM Modi personally contacted both President Putin and President Zelensky, urging them to ensure the safety of Indian students amidst complex military dynamics, leading to instructions being passed down to stand down and facilitate the evacuation process.

Who is John Oliver?

John Oliver, born on April 23, 1977, in Birmingham, England, is a multifaceted talent known for his comedic prowess, incisive commentary, and advocacy. Rising from the stand-up circuit in the UK, he gained prominence as a correspondent on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" before launching his own acclaimed program, "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," on HBO in 2014.

HBO

Through "Last Week Tonight," Oliver has become renowned for his deep dives into pressing political and social issues, offering insightful analysis peppered with his trademark wit. He fearlessly critiques government policies and corporate practices, often shining a light on overlooked or misunderstood topics, all while keeping audiences entertained with his humor.

Beyond the screen, Oliver is committed to using his platform for positive change. He's a vocal advocate for various causes, leveraging his influence to raise awareness and support philanthropic efforts. His unique blend of comedy and activism has earned him accolades, awards, and a devoted following, cementing his status as a leading figure in comedy and commentary.

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