Emergency, Dawood or Masood Azhar: How Twitter went into tizzy on PM Modi's 'important message'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on Wednesday that he will address the nation with an "important message" on television, radio and social media revived the memories of November 2016 evening when he Modi announced the demonetisation of high value currency notes. 

"I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message. Do watch the address on television, radio or social media," the prime minister tweeted on Wednesday morning, sending Twitteratti into a tizzy.

Soon after this announcement, Twitter flooded with speculations of whether it would be about Emergency, bringing Dawood Ibrahim or killing Masood Azhar.

The address finally started at 12.25 pm, and social media users bombarded Twitter with their theories while they waited. 

Among them was former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah who tweeted, "He's declaring the results of the Lok Sabha elections. #JustSaying."  

"Dawood arrested brought back? Hafiz Saeed or Masood Azhar eliminated?#PMtoaddressnation," added social media user, Sagar Rai.

Pictures of former prime minister Indira Gandhi addressing the country to announce the imposition of Emergency were also circulating on the microblogging site. 

"Have added my CA on the speed dial list #PM to address nation," said Niharika Rana.

"#PMModi ji is going to address the nation today. I am already at the ATM," said a user Amir Pathan.

"Another #Demonetisation? Did they catch Masood Azhar or Dawood? Are we taking over Pakistan? OMG I am #anxious now," Twitter user Gaurish Salunke said.

One Twitter user posted a picture of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan getting his blood pressure checked. 

"#PMModi's announcement to address the nation just tested Imran Khan's BP for a while," read the caption.

"Congress has already sent a delegation to Election Commission to complain model code violation, Rahul preparing for Press Conference #PM to address the nation," another user tweeted.

Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Security met at the prime minister's residence, setting off further speculation.

The prime minister on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.

"In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come. One such moment is today," he said in an unprecedented broadcast to the nation on television, radio and social media.