On June 20, 2026, a video went viral on social media showing Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya struggling to answer a question from a Gen Z student about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's lack of press conferences over the past decade. The incident occurred during a student interaction at Jain College in VV Puram, Bengaluru, where Surya was attending a felicitation ceremony.
What Happened at the Event
According to posts by Congress leaders Supriya Shrinate and Ruchira Chaturvedi on X (formerly Twitter), a student asked Surya: "Why is our Honorable PM not attending any press conferences in over 10 years?" The video shows Surya responding with an incoherent phrase, "Abba Dabba Jabba," which drew widespread mockery online. Shrinate's post captioned the clip: "Gen Z stumped Cerelac baby Tejasvi Surya! A simple question was asked."
Tejasvi Surya's Account
Earlier, on June 18, Surya had tweeted about the event, stating: "This morning, I had the privilege of attending the felicitation ceremony at Jain College, VV Puram. Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to engage with students across several such interactions. What stands out unequivocally is the remarkable sense of purpose..." He did not address the specific question in his tweet.
Political Reactions
The video quickly became a talking point on social media, with opposition leaders criticizing Surya's response. Supriya Shrinate, a Congress spokesperson, used the incident to highlight the lack of press conferences by the Prime Minister. Ruchira Chaturvedi, another Congress leader, shared the clip with the caption: "GenZ: What is your take on our PM not addressing a press conference in more than 10 years? Cerelac baby Tejasvi Surya: Abba Dabba Jabba?"
Context of PM Modi's Press Conferences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not held a solo press conference since assuming office in 2014, a fact frequently cited by critics. According to media reports, Modi has given interviews and addressed joint press conferences with foreign leaders, but has not faced an open press Q&A session with Indian journalists in over a decade. This has been a recurring point of debate, with the government arguing that Modi communicates directly through other platforms.
Impact on Social Media
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the accountability of elected representatives and the communication style of the current government. The video has been viewed millions of times across platforms, with many users questioning Surya's preparedness for public interactions. As of June 21, 2026, neither Surya nor the BJP has issued an official statement clarifying the remarks.
