New Delhi, April 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded on social media to a caricature on his light-up appeal shared by dairy cooperative Amul. On Twitter, the Amul topical of "Batti off, Butter On" went viral. Taking cognisance, PM Modi said the nine minutes beginning at 9 pm on April 5 will bring the nation more closer in its fight against the novel coronavirus. PM Narendra Modi’s Call to Switch Off Lights on April 5 at 9 PM Might Affect Power Grid and Emergency Services, Says Maharashtra Power Minister Nitin Raut.

"These 9 minutes, at 9 PM on the 5th will bring our nation closer and strengthen the battle against COVID-19," PM Modi captioned, as he retweeted the Amul Topical which asked the viewers to "Do the Light Thing! (sic)".

Modi had, through a special video message released in the morning of Friday, appealed the nation to switch off their lights at 9 pm on Sunday and come to their balconies or terraces with candles, torches or mobile flashlights.

"I want 9 minutes from all you, at 9PM. Listen carefully, on the 5th of April, at 9 PM, turn off all the lights in your homes, stand at your doors or in you balconies, and light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights for 9 minutes. I repeat, light candles or diyas, torches or mobile flashlights, for 9 minutes at 9 PM on the 5th of April," the Prime Minister had said.

See PM Modi's Reply on Amul Topical

The Opposition parties were unimpressed with his light-up call, claiming that the nation was expecting more serious measures and announcements from him amid the rise of COVID-19 cases across the nation. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Indian PM must be more concerned about the human and economic impact of COVID-19 rather than asking the nation to light-up candles.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2020 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).