‘You have a tattoo… Does Hanumanji help you?’: PM Modi’s question to Deepti Sharma goes viral | WATCH

New Delhi: A recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian women’s cricket team, fresh off their World Cup victory, sparked both admiration and debate online after a light-hearted exchange between the Prime Minister and all-rounder Deepti Sharma went viral.

During the interaction, PM Modi asked about Hanuman tattoo on Deepti’s arm and asked, “Aap tattoo lagake ghumti rehti hain, toh Hanuman ji aapki kya madad karte hain?” (You roam around with a Hanuman tattoo — how does Hanumanji help you?). The room burst into laughter as Deepti, smiling, replied that her faith gives her confidence and courage. “I have more faith in Hanuman ji than in myself. Whenever I face difficulties, taking his name helps me a lot,” she said.

 

PM Modi continued the conversation with a chuckle, saying that she even has “Jai Shree Ram” written in her Instagram bio — to which Deepti agreed. The clip, widely shared on social media, drew mixed reactions: while many praised the warmth of the exchange, others questioned the deliberate emphasis on religious elements during an official event meant to celebrate sporting achievement.

Critics argued that such moments blur the line between national pride and religious identity, suggesting that the government often intertwines faith-based references with its public image. Political analysts have said that the frequent invocation of cultural or religious symbols in state events helps reinforce the image of the Prime Minister as a “protector of Indian tradition,” while critics see it as a subtle form of public relations that channels nationalism into soft power optics.

The meeting, however, also included several light-hearted moments beyond faith. Batter Harleen Deol amused the room when she asked PM Modi about his skincare routine, to which he responded with a laugh, “I do not think about all that.”

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed pride in presenting the World Cup trophy to the Prime Minister, recalling how the team had previously met him in 2017 after their loss to England. “Our aim is to meet you again and again in the future and take photos with you and your team again and again,” she said.

PM Modi congratulated the players, head coach Amol Muzumdar, and BCCI president Mithun Manhas, praising the team’s discipline, teamwork, and resilience. The women’s team’s triumph over South Africa by 52 runs marked a historic milestone in Indian cricket, reflecting both their growing stature and the expanding visibility of women’s sports in the country.

While the viral video highlighted Deepti Sharma’s devotion and humility, it also reignited discussions about how India’s sports narratives are often interlaced with religious imagery — a pattern that some see as fostering cultural pride, while others interpret as part of a broader political spectacle.