India hosted a huge figure in 2020, the President of the United States, Donald J Trump. During the ‘Namaste Trump’ event, Trump addressed over 100,000 people at Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium.

Trump delved deep into India’s history, spirituality, democracy and of course, Bollywood and cricket. But what became the highlight of the show was his several verbal gaffes.

The Vedas became “Vestas” and ‘chaiwala’ became “chiwala.” But what became a social media meme fest was him mispronouncing Swami Vivekanand as “Swami Viveka-mu-nand.” 

Also, Sachin Tendulkar became “Soo-chin Tendul-kerr” and Virat Kohli bacame “Virot Kohl-ee.”

‘Nikamma, Nakara’: Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot spat

A big political controversy erupted in India’s grand old party when Congress leader and Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot turned rebel. 18 other Congress MLAs rebelled, threatening the future of CM Ashok Gehlot-led state government.

While Pilot was largely mum, Gehlot charged several personal attacks at the former.

“We knew he is “nikamma” (worthless) and “nakara” (idle), still we didn’t question this in the interest of the party,” he said while talking to reporters.

Gehlot said he “used to talk about conspiracy to topple his government but nobody believed that he (Pilot), having an innocent face and command over English and Hindi and influence over media, can do this.”

In an indirect jibe, the CM said, being handsome and having command over English doesn’t mean everything in politics.

Although Pilot did rejoin the party and Ashok Gehlot government didn’t fall, his row with his deputy was one of the biggest political controversies in 2020.

BJP’s Jyotiraditya Scindia seeks vote for Congress

Another Congress heavyweight who rebelled was Jyotiraditya Scindia. But unlike Pilot, he didn’t rejoin the party, instead became a BJP member. 

At an election rally ahead of Madhya Pradesh bypolls in November, Scindia sought votes for his erstwhile party.

“Make us believe that you will press the ”hand” (symbol of Congress party) button on 3 November,” Scindia urged the people of Dabra, only to correct a moment later.

However, his gaffe went viral on social media with state Congress taking a dig at the former Congress leader.

“Scindia ji, the people of Madhya Pradesh assure you that they will press the key (on EVM) of ”Hath ka Panja” (Congress”s symbol) on 3 November,” it said on its Twitter handle.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s “Act of God”

India’s economy contracted by a record 23.9% in the April-June quarter (QI) and by 7.5% in the next quarter.

And Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam was widely criticised, not for what she did and didn’t do for managing the economy, but for her remark in which she called the novel coronavirus “an act of God.”

“This year we are facing an extraordinary situation .. we are facing an act of God,” Sitharaman had said.

‘Mumbai feels like PoK’: Kangana Ranaut

One person who was unstoppable on social media was actor Kangana Ranaut. In one particularly controversial comment, she compared the city of Mumbai to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Ranaut was reacting to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who told her not to come back after the actor claimed she felt unsafe in Mumbai.

“Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena leader has given me an open threat and asked me not to come back to Mumbai, after Aazadi graffitis in Mumbai streets and now open threats, why Mumbai is feeling like Pakistan occupied Kashmir?” Ranaut charged in a tweet, for which she was heavily criticised.

When Amir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan, spoke up about her depression, Ranaut was quick to give her opinion, on how broken families lead to depression and how the traditional family system is important.

Everyone can be an expert on social media and this was exhibited by the ‘Queen’ actor who even predicted the future of US President-elect Joe Biden’s administration.

From speaking on mental health issues over the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput to going after a woman who admitted to having suicidal thoughts, Ranaut did everything in a matter of months.

Although the actor has called out other female actors for not supporting her films, she went after women who didn’t agree with her, calling them “snowflakes.”