Sardesai moved by Modi’s call, says gesture rose above politics

A personal outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai after his October 2025 cancer surgery has been widely noted, and the gesture has been described as one that softened even one of the Prime Minister’s most persistent critics. It was disclosed that the Prime Minister’s call had been made to convey concern for Sardesai’s health and to wish him strength during recovery, as the news of the journalist’s surgery had been brought to Modi’s attention through informal channels.

It was revealed that Sardesai had been contacted for a 30-minute conversation soon after the procedure, during which words of encouragement were offered and lifestyle practices such as waking at 6 a.m., maintaining disciplined routines, and taking cold showers were suggested to support long-term wellbeing. Modi’s outreach was described by Sardesai as unexpected and deeply personal.

The acknowledgment, shared during Diwali week, gained prominence because it came from a journalist who has been known for his sharp critiques of Modi’s political career since the 1990s. The call was praised by Sardesai and his family as a humane gesture that rose above political disagreements.

Following the revelation, widespread online discussions were triggered, with individuals recounting similar stories of the Prime Minister’s personal interventions during illness, loss, and other hardships. The appreciation expressed by one of Modi’s harshest critics has been highlighted as a striking example of how the Prime Minister’s personal concern was perceived across ideological lines.