Modis Freebie Rhetoric Political Promises And Contrasting Policies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on "freebies" in Indian politics has generated significant debate across the country. Using colorful metaphors and strong language, Modi has characterized political promises of benefits to voters as "very dangerous" for national development, while simultaneously implementing his own welfare schemes. This article examines the evolution of Modi's position on freebies, the political controversy surrounding his remarks, and the apparent contradictions between his rhetoric and actions.

The "Revdi Culture" Critique

In July 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made headlines by criticizing what he termed the "revdi culture" in Indian politics. While inaugurating the 296-km Bundelkhand Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹14,850 crore, Modi warned that offering freebies for votes is "very dangerous" for the country's development. He urged citizens, particularly the youth, to be "very careful" with this culture, which he compared to "revdi" – a popular north Indian sweet often distributed during festivals.

"I gave a call to defeat this thinking collectively and remove the freebies culture from the politics of the country," Modi stated during his address. The Prime Minister argued that political parties engaged in this "revdi culture" would never build new expressways, airports, or defense corridors. Instead, he contrasted these short-term giveaways with his government's focus on "solid projects" providing amenities like pucca houses, railway lines, roads, infrastructure, irrigation, and electricity.

Political Reactions and Supreme Court Involvement

Modi's remarks sparked immediate debate across the political spectrum. The opposition, including leaders like Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, questioned the Union government's finances and double standards. Kejriwal maintained that his government's schemes for free education, healthcare, and electricity were not "freebies" but essential welfare measures.

The controversy escalated to the Supreme Court, which was approached with a public interest litigation seeking de-registration of political parties for announcing "freebies." However, the apex court declined to intervene, calling such interference "anti-democratic" and stating it did not want to examine this aspect of political activity.

Critics pointed out that Modi's criticism ignored his own party's electoral promises and welfare schemes. As one source noted, "PM Narendra Modi's remarks disparaging political parties for announcing 'freebies,' forgetting that his party does too to score electoral victories has kick-started a debate on welfare schemes, but not as much on corporate tax cuts and loan waivers to corporate."

The Extension of Free Food Grain Scheme

A significant contradiction emerged in Modi's freebie rhetoric when his government extended the free food grain scheme for the poor for another five years. This development led observers to note the "double standards" in the BJP's approach to welfare measures. The scheme, providing essential food commodities to millions of Indians, continued despite Modi's public criticism of "freebie culture."

"This makes one wonder whether the BJP's opposition to freebies is principled or merely selective," one analysis suggested. The extension of the food scheme demonstrated that while Modi criticized certain forms of political freebies, his government continued to implement large-scale welfare programs that could be categorized similarly.

The Delhi Elections and BJP's Victory

The BJP's victory in the Delhi assembly elections of 2025, winning 47 of 70 seats, was attributed in part to Modi's campaign strategy. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the win as "a triumph of faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," acknowledging the PM's central role in the BJP's Delhi campaign.

During the campaign, Modi had accused the AAP of "large-scale wrongdoings" and specifically targeted Arvind Kejriwal, claiming he had built a "sheeshmahal" (a palace of mirrors) at considerable expense to the public. This rhetoric positioned the BJP as against wasteful spending while promoting its own development-focused agenda, despite maintaining similar welfare programs.

Defining Freebies: Political Promises vs. Welfare

The debate over freebies revealed challenges in distinguishing between genuine welfare policies and politically motivated giveaways. As one analysis noted, "Too many diverse electoral promises are, wrongly, getting clubbed under a single label (doles, freebies, handouts)." This categorization oversimplifies the complex landscape of government assistance programs, which range from essential social safety nets to politically motivated pre-election announcements.

The controversy also highlighted questions about federalism in India, as welfare schemes often involve both central and state governments. Modi's criticism of freebies sometimes targeted state-level policies implemented by opposition parties, raising questions about the appropriate balance between central authority and state autonomy in social welfare policy.

Corporate Welfare vs. Political Freebies

An undercurrent in the freebie debate was the contrast between criticism of political freebies and relative silence on corporate welfare measures. The Modi government implemented significant tax concessions and loan waivers for corporations, which some critics argued represented a different form of "freebies" benefiting wealthier segments of society.

"Why the supreme court was dragged into the issue remains a mystery," one source questioned regarding the petition against political freebies. The analysis suggested that if the electorate disapproved of certain political promises, they could express this at the polls, making judicial intervention unnecessary and potentially overstepping democratic processes.

The Federal Structure and Freebie Politics

The freebie debate also touched upon India's federal structure, as welfare responsibilities are divided between central and state governments. Modi's criticism often targeted state-level schemes implemented by opposition parties, while defending similar or larger-scale central welfare programs.

The Supreme Court's reluctance to intervene in the freebie debate reflected awareness of these federal complexities. The court noted that any interference in political parties' promises would constitute "not only an encroachment on the domain of the legislature, not only to an infringement of the powers of the states within the federal structure of the country but, above all, to an abridgement of the prerogative of the electorate."

Youth and the Freebie Culture

Modi specifically targeted India's youth in his warnings about the "revdi culture," suggesting that younger voters were particularly vulnerable to being influenced by political promises of freebies. This demographic focus reflected the BJP's electoral strategy, which has increasingly emphasized connecting with younger voters while positioning itself as a party of development rather than giveaways.

The Prime Minister's appeal to youth to "defeat this thinking collectively" represented an attempt to shape political discourse around development and economic growth rather than immediate material benefits. However, critics questioned whether this messaging resonated with voters who directly benefited from government welfare programs.

Development vs. Welfare: Modi's Framework

Modi consistently framed his criticism of freebies within a development narrative, contrasting what he portrayed as short-term political giveaways with long-term infrastructure and economic development projects. The inauguration of the Bundelkhand Expressway served as a backdrop for this message, with Modi highlighting how such infrastructure projects would benefit the country more than temporary handouts.

"The people of freebies culture feel that they can buy the votes by distributing freebies to the common man," Modi claimed, positioning his government as focused on sustainable development rather than electoral tactics. This framework attempted to create a clear distinction between his government's policies and those of political opponents.

The Evolution of Freebie Politics in India

The controversy surrounding Modi's freebie remarks highlighted how electoral politics in India has increasingly centered around welfare promises and direct benefits to voters. From loan waivers and electricity subsidies to free education and healthcare, political parties across the spectrum have used such measures to attract voters.

The debate also revealed how the definition of "freebies" has become politically charged, with different parties applying the label selectively to their opponents' policies while defending their own welfare measures as necessary social support.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Modi's stance on "freebies" encapsulates the tension in modern Indian politics between welfare policies and development rhetoric. His characterization of political promises as "revdi culture" and warnings about their dangers to national development have sparked significant debate, yet his government continues to implement large-scale welfare programs that could be similarly categorized.

The controversy reveals how the term "freebie" has become politically weaponized, with different parties applying it selectively to their opponents' policies while defending their own as essential welfare measures. As India continues to grapple with poverty and inequality, the debate over the appropriate balance between immediate relief and long-term development remains central to political discourse.

The Supreme Court's reluctance to intervene in this political matter underscores the democratic principle that electoral promises should be decided by voters at the polls rather than through judicial fiat. This democratic process will ultimately determine which vision for India's future prevails—one focused on immediate welfare benefits or one emphasizing long-term development and infrastructure.

Sources

1. Offering freebies for votes 'very dangerous' for country: PM Modi
2. Modi's remarks on 'freebies' sparks debate; Opposition attacks govt's magnanimity towards corporates
3. Dangerous for country's development, PM Modi says as he calls on people to defeat 'freebies culture'
4. Ruling BJP's U-turn on 'Revdi Culture' ignites nationwide debate ahead of elections
5. The Modi government and the so-called freebies
6. Modi warned against 'revdi culture' now he leads the charge
7. Brand Modi To Freebies: How BJP Triumphed AAP To Win Delhi Elections 2025