Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan right after his big international trip to China and Japan. This isn’t just any casual chat—it’s a key part of India’s political protocol. Modi makes it a point to brief the President after every major foreign visit, showing respect for the Constitution and democratic values. Let’s dive into why this matters and how it contrasts with a dramatic chapter from India’s past.
Modi’s trip focused on important global talks. He attended the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, where leaders discussed reforms in global governance, fighting terrorism, and boosting economic ties. On the side, he held crucial bilateral meetings with China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Back home, Modi personally updated President Murmu on the visit’s key outcomes and what they mean for India. This tradition highlights Modi’s commitment to keeping the President’s office in the loop, strengthening the bond between executive and ceremonial roles in Indian politics.
But this simple act sparked memories of a rocky time in history. RSS thinker and Thuglak magazine editor S Gurumurthy shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), pointing out the huge difference from the tense relationship between former President Giani Zail Singh and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the 1980s. Gurumurthy recalled how Zail Singh felt deeply humiliated by Rajiv’s arrogance—Rajiv didn’t follow the protocol of briefing the President after foreign trips, which made Zail Singh feel sidelined.
Gurumurthy even helped draft a powerful letter for Zail Singh to Rajiv, expressing the President’s frustration over the “downgrading” of his office. Veteran journalist Mulgaonkar polished it, and it got published in The Indian Express on March 31, 1987. Gurumurthy says this letter kicked off a chain of scandals that rocked Rajiv Gandhi’s government. Just days later, Gurumurthy himself got arrested on March 13. Then came the Fairfax deal controversy, the HDW bribe scam, VP Singh’s resignation from the ministry, and the explosive Bofors scandal revelations from Sweden—all within 40 days. Rajiv never bounced back from that political storm.
That era showed how ego clashes between the Prime Minister and President could erode trust and lead to big crises in Indian politics. The bitterness wasn’t just personal; it damaged the harmony between India’s top constitutional offices, mixing power struggles with a lack of respect for protocol.
Fast forward to today, and PM Modi’s approach stands out. He has briefed every President— from Ram Nath Kovind to now Droupadi Murmu—without any political pressure. This isn’t about show; it’s a real nod to humility, tradition, and the President’s role as the guardian of India’s Constitution. By keeping things smooth, Modi promotes institutional harmony and reminds us that true leadership in a democracy means respecting the rules, no matter what.
A political expert sums it up well: In India’s democracy, power comes with a duty to stay humble, especially when it involves the nation’s highest office. Modi’s protocol observance sets a positive example, far from the disasters of the past.
