Vendor Receives Threats After PM Modi's Visit

Post by : Shakul

An incident involving a jhalmuri vendor from Jhargram, West Bengal, has taken a disturbing turn after he reported receiving death threats from anonymous callers post-Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his snack stall during the recent election campaign.

The vendor, Vikram Sao, revealed that the threatening messages began shortly after Modi's visit on April 19, an interaction that received widespread attention across social media, significantly elevating Sao's public profile.

Sao alleges that he has been bombarded with calls and video messages from international numbers purportedly tied to Pakistan and Bangladesh, where the callers have threatened harm to him and his family, including warnings of potential bomb attacks.

He shared that some of these calls were video calls, with the callers displaying weapons and making alarming gestures aimed at intimidating him. Multiple threatening WhatsApp messages have also been sent his way, heightening his distress.

While none of the callers explicitly referenced his encounter with PM Modi, Sao is convinced that the threats stemmed from the heightened attention his business received after the Prime Minister's visit.

During the visit, PM Modi was seen engaging with Sao, asking him to make the traditional Bengali jhalmuri. The Prime Minister notably insisted on paying for the snack, despite Sao's attempts to decline payment.

In light of these threats, local law enforcement has reinforced security around Sao and his family. Authorities are reportedly positioned near his home, as investigations into the source of these menacing calls continue.

Officials have launched a formal investigation to trace the individuals behind these threats and ascertain if they are genuine or part of a more organized campaign aimed at instilling fear. This unsettling scenario has ignited a broader discourse about online harassment and the peril ordinary citizens face when thrust into the spotlight.

The vendor's plight has resonated on social media, sparking supportive responses from users who are calling for decisive action against the perpetrators of these threats.