'What a Tragic Fall from Singh is King': Congress Slams 'Weak Modi Govt' Over Controversial US Ad

Congress Targets Modi Government Over US Advertisement

The Congress on Friday, September 11, 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Modi government over a controversial advertisement posted by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The advertisement, which used AI-generated imagery and featured a turbaned, brown-bearded man identified as “Mr Singh”, carried messages including “Get off our roads” and “Self-deport or find out”. The campaign was linked to the US administration's crackdown on unlicensed commercial drivers.

Congress leaders described the messaging as offensive and argued that the portrayal relied on racial and ethnic stereotypes.

Jairam Ramesh Questions Government's Response

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh questioned why the Indian government had not issued a strong public response to the advertisement.

Ramesh alleged that the Modi government was acting like a “silent partner” in the episode despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on his relationship with US President Donald Trump.

According to Ramesh, the issue was not limited to an individual or a particular community but concerned the dignity of Indians and India's ability to defend its interests abroad.

US Department of Homeland Security Removes Controversial Post

Ramesh said the DHS post was subsequently taken down following protests in the United States. However, he claimed that the department continued to defend the broader campaign and its language through official communications.

The controversy has therefore expanded beyond the original social media advertisement, with questions being raised over the treatment of Indian and Indian-origin communities in the context of the US administration's immigration and enforcement policies.

'Singh is King' Reference to Manmohan Singh

Congress Legislature Party leader in Punjab Partap Singh Bajwa gave the controversy a political dimension by invoking former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Bajwa recalled the respect Singh commanded in Washington and referred to former US President Barack Obama's praise of him. He contrasted that earlier diplomatic image with the DHS advertisement targeting “Mr Singh”.

“What a tragic fall from ‘Singh is King’ to ‘Mr Singh, get off our roads’,” Bajwa said, according to the PTI report.

The reference was intended to highlight what Congress sees as a decline in India's diplomatic standing under the present government.

Congress Raises Questions Over India-US Relations

Congress leaders also linked the controversy to broader concerns about India-US relations.

Ramesh referred to previous instances involving the deportation of Indians from the United States and US trade measures affecting India. He questioned whether India's diplomatic relationship with Washington was translating into adequate protection of Indian interests and the dignity of Indian citizens.

Congress argued that maintaining strong relations with the United States should not come at the cost of India's national interests or the dignity of Indians abroad.

Why the 'Mr Singh' Ad Became Controversial

The advertisement attracted criticism because the imagery and wording appeared to associate a stereotypical Sikh/Indian identity with unsafe driving and immigration enforcement.

The DHS campaign was aimed at commercial drivers and highlighted cases involving truck drivers, including several individuals identified by the department in related social media content. The controversy emerged over the way the campaign represented “Mr Singh” and the language used in addressing the target.

Political Impact in India

The controversy has provided the Congress with another opportunity to question the Modi government's foreign-policy approach and its handling of relations with the Trump administration.

While Congress has described the government's response as weak, these statements represent the Opposition party's political assessment. The controversy also underscores the broader sensitivity surrounding the treatment of Indian-origin communities and Indian citizens in the United States.

Conclusion

The US “Mr Singh” advertisement has triggered a political confrontation in India, with the Congress accusing the Modi government of failing to strongly defend India's dignity and interests.

By invoking the phrase “Singh is King” and comparing the controversy with Manmohan Singh's standing in Washington, Congress leaders have sought to frame the episode as a question of India's diplomatic influence under the current government.