Moajungshi Menon
In any vibrant democracy, the relationship between those who govern and those who ask questions on behalf of the people is of immense importance. The press serves as the eyes and ears of the citizens, and a press conference is one of the most powerful symbols of democratic accountability. It is the moment when a leader stands before journalists without pre-screened questions, without carefully edited responses, and without the comfort of a controlled environment. It is where transparency meets scrutiny. By this measure, one remarkable fact stands out in modern Indian politics that the last full-fledged open press conference by an Indian Prime Minister was held by Dr. Manmohan Singh on 3rd January 2014 in New Delhi.
More than twelve years have passed since that day. During this period, Narendra Modi has completed over a decade as Prime Minister, yet he has not held a comparable open-ended press conference in India where journalists were free to ask unscripted questions and receive direct answers from him. This contrast offers a revealing window into two very different approaches to leadership and democratic engagement.
Dr Manmohan Singh was often described as soft-spoken and reserved. He was not a fiery orator, nor did he seek the spotlight. But beneath his calm manner was a deep respect for democratic institutions and constitutional norms.
Throughout his ten years as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Dr. Singh interacted with journalists more than one hundred times. He addressed difficult questions on issues ranging from economic reforms and coalition politics to corruption allegations and foreign policy. He understood that the office of the Prime Minister was not merely a position of power, but a public trust. His final press conference on 3rd January 2014 remains one of the most memorable in Indian political history. Facing tough questions about his government’s controversies and his own leadership, he responded with characteristic dignity and restraint. During the same interaction, he delivered the now-famous line: “History will be kinder to me than the contemporary media.” At that press conference, Dr. Singh also made a pointed political observation when he said that he believed it would be “disastrous for the country” if Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. Whether one agrees with that assessment or not, the significance lies in the fact that he made the statement openly, before a room full of reporters, and subjected himself to further questioning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undoubtedly one of India’s most influential and charismatic political leaders. He is an exceptional communicator who has mastered mass outreach through rallies, social media, radio broadcasts such as Mann Ki Baat, and televised interviews. However, communication is not the same as accountability. During his years in office, Prime Minister Modi has given numerous interviews to television anchors and media personalities. Yet many critics argue that these interactions are highly structured, featuring limited follow-up questions and little room for spontaneous scrutiny. The Prime Minister controls the message, but rarely faces the unpredictability of an unscripted press conference.
This distinction matters. An interview allows a leader to speak. A press conference requires a leader to listen, respond, and defend decisions under direct questioning.
The absence of such press conferences has led to growing concern among journalists, academics, and citizens who believe that the country’s highest elected office should remain accessible to independent media. A Prime Minister is the head of government and the most powerful elected official in the nation. With that authority comes responsibility. Press conferences are essential because they promote transparency by allowing the public to hear direct answers to important questions. They ensure accountability by compelling leaders to explain policies and decisions. They encourage trust by
demonstrating confidence and openness. They protect democracy by strengthening the role of a free and independent press. Most importantly, they test leadership by showing whether a leader can handle criticism as well as praise.
In a democracy, criticism is not an inconvenience; it is a necessary safeguard. A leader who is willing to accept credit must also be willing to face difficult questions when policies fail or controversies arise. True leadership is not measured solely by electoral victories, large rallies, or popularity ratings. It is also measured by the willingness to stand before the nation’s journalists and answer unscripted questions. A Prime Minister who avoids open press conferences may still be an effective communicator, but communication without scrutiny is incomplete. Democracies thrive when leaders are tested in public and held answerable for their actions.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, despite his understated personality, demonstrated that quiet leaders can possess the confidence to face the press regularly. Narendra Modi, despite his strong public presence and remarkable political success, has chosen a more controlled style of media engagement. This comparison is not merely about two individuals. It is about the standards we expect from the highest office in the land. The Prime Minister of India does not govern in isolation. He governs on behalf of 1.4 billion citizens. Those citizens deserve more than speeches and carefully curated interviews. They deserve opportunities to hear their elected leader respond to independent questions asked without prior scripting or rehearsal.
The press is not an adversary of democracy; it is one of its guardians. When a Prime Minister submits to questioning, he reaffirms that no office is above accountability. The last open press conference by an Indian Prime Minister was held by Dr. Manmohan Singh on 3rd January 2014. This fact, more than a decade later, is both historically significant and democratically troubling.
India is the world’s largest democracy. Its institutions are strongest when leaders embrace scrutiny rather than avoid it. Press conferences are not mere rituals; they are public demonstrations of humility, confidence, and respect for the people. The office of Prime Minister carries immense authority. But with great authority comes an equally great obligation to answer questions. In the end, democracy is not only about winning elections. It is about remaining accountable after the victory.
~ Moajungshi Menon
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)