Dhruv Rathee marked India’s 79th Independence Day with a video of himself surfing while holding the Indian tricolour, echoing Mark Zuckerberg’s now-famous patriotic wakesurfing clips from the US Independence Day albeit with an Indian twist and without the beer.
Surfing tribute with an Indian spin
In the clip, Rathee swaps Zuckerberg’s tuxedo for a traditional kurta-pyjama and replaces the Stars and Stripes with the Indian national flag, delivering a visual homage as he rides the waves—sans any drink in hand, unlike Zuckerberg’s casual beer moment in his July 4 video last year.
Zuckerberg’s July 4 tradition
Mark Zuckerberg’s wakesurfing has evolved into a recurring July 4 spectacle, with the Meta CEO leaning into the theme each year. This year, he took to the water in an inflatable suit, while in 2021 he cruised on a board in slippers, flag in hand, framed by a scenic backdrop.
Rathee’s message alongside the video
Alongside the video, Rathee used his caption to spotlight the Opposition’s “vote chori” allegation against the ruling government, calling on citizens to defend democratic values: “Happy Independence Day! We must protect the freedom and democracy that our freedom fighters fought so hard for. Speak up against Vote Chori! Speak up for the Nation! Jai Hind!”
Congress’s ‘vote chori’ campaign
On August 7, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi alleged at a press conference that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were “choreographed” by the Election Commission to benefit the BJP and seemed resistant to anti-incumbency. The Congress and the INDIA bloc responded with nationwide protests and outreach, including marches, complaints to authorities, and mass campaigns. Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders were detained on August 11 during a march to the EC office in Delhi, while Congress units in states such as Karnataka, Telangana, and Chandigarh staged demonstrations and filed complaints. The party rolled out a “vote chori” drive featuring signature campaigns, torchlight processions, rallies, and a protest by the Indian Youth Congress outside the EC’s Delhi headquarters.
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