PM Modi Enjoys Jhalmuri during Campaign Stop in Jhargram, Video Goes Viral

Unexpected Snack Break

During his election campaign in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unplanned stop in Jhargram to indulge in a serving of ‘jhalmuri,’ a popular Bengali street snack. The moment was captured in a video posted on his official X account, where he cheerfully requested the vendor for the snack.

Jhalmuri, composed of puffed rice mixed with spices, chillies, and mustard oil, is a beloved delicacy in Bengali cuisine. In the video, Modi is shown interacting with the vendor, asking, “Bhai, hume apna jhalmuri khilao (Brother, please treat me with your jhalmuri),” as he also inquired about the price of the dish.

Vendor Interaction

The vendor mentioned that the price of jhalmuri ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 20 depending on the order. Despite the vendor’s initial hesitance to accept payment for the snack, Modi firmly insisted on paying, stating, “Arey nahi nahi bhai, aise nahi (No no brother, don’t do this).”

While the vendor prepared the jhalmuri, he asked the Prime Minister, “Aap pyaaz khaate hain (Do you eat onions)?” Modi humorously replied, “Haan, pyaaz khaate hain. Dimag nahi khaate bass (Yes, I eat onions. I just don’t eat people’s brains).” This comment added a light-hearted touch to the interaction, showcasing Modi’s approachable persona.

Social Media Buzz

The video from Modi’s jhalmuri experience has since gone viral across multiple social media platforms, accumulating around 11 million views along with a flood of reactions. Many users praised the Prime Minister’s candidness and down-to-earth demeanor during the campaign.

In a lighthearted comment, one user noted Modi’s influence on various aspects of culture, mentioning, “Sir you made a simple tea famous and now Startups have made it big by opening small cafés in different tea brands. You made a round-necked jacket into now what is called a Modi jacket by giving it a smart look without any sleeves.”

Another user reminisced about the connection between Bengal and jhalmuri, recalling, “Bengal and jhalmuri… unbreakable bond… I remember when I went to Delhi for my studies from Bengal and used to return via train in holidays … I used to wait for the train to enter Bihar Bengal border where I could get authentic Bengal jhalmuri.”

Continued Campaign Efforts

PM Modi’s jhalmuri break occurred amidst a busy schedule of four public meetings across West Bengal. He later shared photos from the outing on X, captioning, “Amidst four public meetings spanning across West Bengal on a hectic Sunday, I savored some delicious spicy puffed rice in Jhargram.”

This spontaneous food stop not only highlights the Prime Minister’s engagement with local culture but also emphasizes the significance of street food in Bengali society. Modi’s interaction has contributed to raising awareness of jhalmuri, potentially benefiting local vendors and the street food community.