Narendra Modi Caste & Family Background

From a tea seller to becoming one of the most popular Prime Ministers of the largest democracy of the world, Narendra Damodardas Modi has indeed scripted an unprecedented story that can inspire one and all. Dynamic, determined and dedicated, Narendra Modi reflects the hope and aspiration of over a billion Indians. For more or lesser reasons, stories related to his caste & family background often makes headlines. Here is a detailed analysis of Narendra Modi’s caste & family background:

A Mediocre Family Background

Born as the third child (out of six) to Damodardas Mulchand (father) and Heeraben Modi (mother), Narendra Damodardas Modi is considered one of the most successful self-made leaders in the world as he has no political background in his family. Narendra Modi’s father had a tea-stall at the Vadnagar Railway Station in Gujarat, and young Narendra Modi often lent his hands in selling tea at the station. He has 2 sisters and 3 brothers. His elder brother, Soma is a retired officer of the health department, his younger brother Prahlad runs a shop in Ahmedabad, his another younger brother Pankaj is a clerk in the information department headquarters, Gandhinagar.

Reluctant About His Caste Identity

It’s quite unusual to see Narendra Modi highlighting his caste status- a thing he has never done in his long political career. However, when his candidature for the Prime Ministerial post was announced in 2014, he started speaking about his caste but never emphasized it rather clubbed it with his “Chaiwallah” identity. Now, Narendra Modi’s caste has been disclosed, and he belongs to the OBCs category; Modi’s caste is known as “Modh Ghanchi” in Gujarat.

Is Narendra Modi Really an OBC?

In 2014, Congress Party started framing allegations against Narendra Modi for revealing his caste and alleged that he didn’t belong to the OBC Category and was a “Fake OBC.” Responding to Congress charge about Narendra Modi’s caste, Gujarat Government cited its 2-decade old notification that reads the “Modh Ghanchi” caste, to which Narendra Modi belongs, was included in the Other Backward Caste (OBCs) categories. “The Social Welfare Department of the Gujarat Government has passed a notification on 25 July 1994, which included 36 castes as OBCs and at number 25(b) Modh-Ghanchi caste has been mentioned to which Narendra Modi belongs. The caste has been included amongst OBCs,” Nitin Patel, the state government’s spokesperson, said.

When his caste was recognized in a Brahmin-dominated organization!

Narendra Modi’s political aspirations trace their origin to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which he joined as a “Pracharak.” The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), once a Brahmin-dominated organization, has dramatically changed its socio-political policies and has started getting rid of the caste divide. Narendra Modi, too, believes so. However, in war, love, and Indian Elections, anything can go. In 2014, at a public rally in Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi asked: “Is it a crime to be born in a lower caste?”

More information about Narendra Modi: Narendra Modi Biography