He advised the public to stay vigilant, underscoring that awareness is key to protection against these scams.Additionally, Modi announced government plans to celebrate the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, encouraging people to join in these national celebrations. With World Animation Day approaching, the Prime Minister also highlighted India’s potential in animation, discussing his vision of establishing India as a global leader in the animation industry.
During the 115th edition of his Mann Ki Baat radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned citizens about the growing threat of “digital arrest” scams, emphasizing the need for awareness in preventing these types of cyber fraud. While investigative agencies are working alongside state governments to combat these scams, Modi noted that public vigilance is crucial.
“Beware of digital arrest frauds. No such system exists under the law, and no government agency will contact you via phone or video call for such investigations,” the prime minister stated after showing a representative video demonstrating the techniques scammers use.
Modi explained that scammers often pose as officials from the police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), narcotics divisions, or even the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), presenting themselves as credible officers with high confidence. To counter these scams, he encouraged schools and colleges to hold awareness campaigns on cyber safety.
The prime minister outlined three steps to help people stay safe: “stop, think, take action.” He advised, “First, stay calm and avoid panicking. If possible, record the interaction. Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online. Third, take action by dialing 1930, the national cyber helpline, and inform the police about the incident.”
On a different note, Modi urged citizens to strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) campaign during the festive season. “Self-reliance has grown from a policy into a passion. Only a decade ago, many doubted or ridiculed the idea of India developing complex technologies. Today, they are amazed by the country’s success across fields as India progresses toward self-reliance.”
In addition, Modi announced plans for national celebrations of the 150th birth anniversaries of two significant Indian figures, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and freedom fighter Birsa Munda. He encouraged the public to participate, saying, “The government has decided to celebrate the 150th anniversaries of these great personalities. I urge you all to join this campaign.”
He reflected on the achievements of both leaders, highlighting how, despite facing different challenges, their visions aligned. The commemoration of Patel’s anniversary will begin on October 31, while Munda’s will start on November 15. Modi recalled his visit to Ulihatu village in Jharkhand, the birthplace of Munda, to honor his legacy on his birth anniversary last year.
