PM’s visit to Gurudwara on Sunday triggers speculation that he might visit a Church this Christmas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a ‘surprise’ visit to Gurudwara Rakabganj Sahib in Delhi to pay tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur for his supreme sacrifice. Photographers were not far behind. This was his first visit to the Gurudwara since he became PM in 2014.

The visit fuelled speculation whether the Prime Minister will visit a church also for the first time this year. The ' photo op' came in for much criticism because the PM has not had the time to meet the farmers camping in freezing cold at the Delhi borders.

The visit was amusingly tweeted by several people who used the same language and made the same mistake by spelling Rakabganj as Rakabjang !

Guru Tegh Bahadur’s death anniversary was observed on Saturday. The mortal remains of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, were consigned to flames at Gurdwara Rakabganj.

The PM’s visit to one of the most popular gurudwaras in Delhi comes amid intense protests by farmers, especially from Punjab, against the three farm laws. The farmers’ protest today entered day 22. Farmers will observe ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’ across the country today to pay homage to those farmers who lost their lives during the ongoing agitation.

During Modi’s visit, no police bandobast or traffic barriers were put in place to restrict the movement of the common people, official sources claimed, news agency PTI reported.

“This morning, I prayed at the historic Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, where the pious body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated. I felt extremely blessed. I, like millions around the world, am deeply inspired by the kindnesses of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji,” Modi tweeted after the visit.

Following the event, dozens of users took to Twitter to call out Modi’s visit as a ‘drama’ and ‘photo-op’ in the backdrop of the ongoing agitation by lakhs of farmers at Delhi’s borders. We have compiled some of the posts:

‘Cut the “sudden” crap lapdogs. Also, always add Sahab to a Gurudwara, you fanatics! Modi never remembered Guru Teg Bahadur’s supreme sacrifice, never went to Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahab in last 6 years. It was another photo op to deflect #Farmers anger!’

‘Bad drama, lousy acting’

‘Here is the drama again, Mr. PM Modi why don't you do these so-called surprise visits to see poor farmers fighting on roads for days.’

‘Drama / Gimmickry He can be credited with perfecting this art !!’

Uff the level of drama!

Modi ji, Please visit Singhu border for next photo shoot & feel the Mood of Nation !

Now that he has been to the Gurudwara, it’ll be nice to see the Prime Minister make an ‘unscheduled’ visit to a church on Christmas. Will he?

Some users also noticed the discourse in the background in one of the videos and pointed out the irony.

‘Speaker in the background says- "If you read all the religious texts & still don’t follow any of it...don’t work towards serving the humanity then when the time comes, Yamraj comes he won’t forgive you." Was it specially directed at PM @narendramodi? I think so.’

Here are some other tweets: