Video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sister Sitting Quietly at a Ghat Goes Viral, Public Reacts to Her Simplicity

A video of an elderly woman sitting quietly along a riverside ghat has gone viral across social media—after it was revealed that the woman is none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s real sister, Basanti Ben Hasmukh Lal Modi. The clip has sparked widespread discussion, with many viewers expressing surprise at her humble and understated presence.

The video, first captured during her visit to Rishikesh, shows Basanti Ben wrapped in a simple shawl, sitting like any ordinary elderly woman without any entourage, security personnel, or signs of VIP treatment. Some reports claim she was also seen earlier at a ghat in Varanasi during her religious travels with her husband.

Basanti Ben is the only sister of Prime Minister Modi. She lives in Unjha, Gujarat, where she has maintained a low-profile lifestyle as a homemaker. Her husband, Hasmukh Bhai, is a retired LIC employee. Those who recognize her say she often introduces herself proudly as “the sister of a tea seller,” reflecting the Modi family’s modest background.

The viral video has revived public conversation about PM Modi’s long-standing declaration against dynastic politics, which he emphasized when he assumed office in 2014. At the time, he vowed not to allow family influence, corruption, or personal gain to shape governance, saying: “I will not take, nor will I allow others to take.”

The simplicity of Modi’s family members has often been highlighted in public discourse. His late mother, too, was known for living a modest life, receiving security only during her son’s visits and returning to ordinary routines afterward.

Following the circulation of Basanti Ben’s video, social media users shared mixed but intense reactions. Some compared the Modi family to political dynasties of the past, while others contrasted their lifestyles with those of other prominent families in Indian politics. A few users even brought up earlier viral footage of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s sister embracing Modi’s sister affectionately.

As the debate continues online, the video has become a talking point about humility, political culture, and how public figures and their families choose to live away from power and visibility.

Readers are invited to share their views on this display of simplicity and what it signifies within the broader political landscape.