Amid rising online searches about a possible lockdown in India, a claim began circulating on social media suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at a Covid-style lockdown while addressing Parliament on the ongoing West Asia crisis.
However, a closer look at his speeches in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha shows that the claim is misleading.
The speculation intensified after the government announced an all-party meeting to discuss the crisis and its implications for India’s economy and supply chains.
In his speeches, the Prime Minister did refer to the Covid-19 pandemic - but only as an example of how the country handled a global crisis.
He urged citizens to remain “prepared and united, just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic,” while warning that global disruptions caused by the war could have long-term economic consequences.
However, the word “lockdown” was not used in either speech.
India does not face any Covid-related emergency that would warrant a lockdown. The country currently has very few active Covid cases and the public health situation remains under control.
The government’s focus in Parliament has been on mitigating the economic and supply-chain impact of the West Asia conflict, particularly disruptions to oil, gas and fertiliser shipments.
Verdict: False / Misleading. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention a lockdown in his recent Parliament speeches.
