Darth Vader theme for Modi after GST speech: Is PM on the dark side?
On Saturday, July 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in New Delhi during the 68th Chartered Accountants' Day celebrations.
What made the event important was that this was the PM's first speech post the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
While the the PM's speech was focused on the implementation and pros of the GST, he also spoke abouit a wide variety of topics from corruption to taxes to the launch of a new course at the ICAI. However, what recieved the most attention was not the rhetoric on tax, numbers or economy. What set tongues wagging was - unexpectedly - the choice of music played before and after Modi's speech!
In a strangely ironic decision, someone thought the iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader's theme, "The Imperial March", was fitting for the PM:
PM of India, Narendra Modi, actually ended his speech with Darth Vader soundtrack. How befitting. pic.twitter.com/f2rbHURhSS
— Sacha Saeen (@Sacha_Saeen) July 2, 2017
For the uninitiated, Darth Vader is one of the darkest villains in the history of cinema. The legendary antagonist from the Star Wars series is a ruthless commander in charge of conquering the galaxy for the dark side.
The theme music, created by John Williams, has over time come to be associated with everything evil.
Social media users were confused and amused at the strange choice of music for the prime minister, with many wondering if Modi has, indeed, turned to the dark side.
Did they just play Darth Vader's music at the end of that Modi ICAI speech?!?! What happened there! #GST #ICAIspeech
— Ankur Kapoor (@alienesque18) July 1, 2017
Did nobody notice the Darth Vader track when #Modi walked off stage? ????
— Harshad (@gypsyinthemakin) July 2, 2017*Narendra Modi leaves the stage with the ominous theme music of Darth Vader. *Obi wan : I felt a great disturbance in the force.#GST
— Siddharth Panda (@realslimsiddy) July 2, 2017
My guess is that the prankster was going for this, although that's Palpatine, but close enough pic.twitter.com/pD7FaKAjpC
— Krish Ashok (@krishashok) July 1, 2017
Here you go: The official event video where Darth Vader's Imperial March is played at the end of the PM's GST speech https://t.co/Y3FNTVbvjl
— Krish Ashok (@krishashok) July 1, 2017
Darth Vader was the bad guy. I remember seeing modi's speech he made in America, long time ago, he said may the force be with u
— mnbhos (@hos_oufi) July 2, 2017
Darth Vader music for Modi's Background music. How fitting.
— Siddhesh Raut (@siddhaysh) July 1, 2017
quoting 'may the force be with you' was funny last year. this year its a different feeling altogether: https://t.co/hCJmL3Mkpd
— Aditya Vaja (@wolverineav) July 2, 2017
Incidentally, this wasn't Modi's first brush with Star Wars.
In 2014, on a state visit to the United States, Modi, in the presence of X-Men star Hugh Jackman, had quoted the franchise's most iconic dialogue - May the force be with you - to roaring applause from the audience at Madison Square Garden.
Close to home, at the ICAI event, PM Modi underlined his vision of a corruption-free India.
"I have launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to clean up the country. I am also carrying out operations to clean the economy," the prime minister said.
"The government has cancelled the registration of over 1,00,000 companies in a single stroke and more than 37,000 shell firms have been identified for strong action," he said.
You can watch Modi's complete speech at the ICAI here (in case you miss it, theme music starts from 2 hours 26 minutes and at 3 hours 30 minutes):