Yogi Adityanath’s Call for Hindu Unity Sparks Debate in Maharashtra

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 15^th November. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan ‘Katenge to Batenge’ has stirred a political storm in Maharashtra, particularly within the Maha Yuti Alliance, as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed his discontent with its message. While Ajit Pawar publicly criticized the slogan, his alliance partner and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis staunchly defended it, calling it a reflection of India’s historical challenges and a warning against divisiveness.

The controversy gained momentum when Fadnavis, in an interview, attributed Ajit Pawar’s criticism to his long association with “secular and anti-Hindu ideologies.” Fadnavis argued that these ideologies have historically misunderstood the essence of Hindutva and failed to resonate with the public’s sentiment. According to him, ‘Katenge to Batenge’ encapsulates a fundamental truth: division leads to weakness, a lesson deeply ingrained in India’s history of colonization and exploitation.

The Slogan and Its Implications

Yogi Adityanath introduced the slogan during a campaign rally in Maharashtra, emphasizing the need for Hindu unity to safeguard cultural and national integrity. He argued that divisions within communities have historically left the country vulnerable to external forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later reinforced this message with the slogan ‘Ek hai toh safe hai,’ underscoring unity as a prerequisite for progress.

However, opposition leaders and sections of the Maha Yuti Alliance interpreted the slogan as having communal overtones, accusing Yogi of polarizing voters ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Ajit Pawar’s criticism reflects this apprehension, suggesting discomfort within the alliance over the BJP’s Hindutva-driven narrative.

Fadnavis’s Defense

Devendra Fadnavis’s defense of the slogan goes beyond electoral rhetoric. By invoking historical examples of India’s fragmentation leading to subjugation, he painted the slogan as a unifying call rather than a divisive one. Fadnavis dismissed opposition criticism, asserting that the slogan aligns with the public mood and reflects the historical reality that societal unity is essential for national strength.

In his remarks, Fadnavis subtly rebuked Ajit Pawar’s understanding of Hindutva, suggesting that years of association with ideologies opposing Hindutva had skewed his perspective. Fadnavis’s statement underscores an ideological divide within the Maha Yuti Alliance, raising questions about the alliance’s cohesion ahead of the polls.

Challenges for the Maha Yuti Alliance

The BJP-led Maha Yuti Alliance—comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP—is up against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. While the BJP has relied on its core Hindutva narrative to consolidate support, its alliance partners appear divided on how to navigate this approach in Maharashtra’s diverse political landscape.

Ajit Pawar’s criticism of ‘Katenge to Batenge’ highlights the ideological friction within the alliance. His discomfort with overt Hindutva messaging contrasts with the BJP’s strategy, which prioritizes Hindu unity as an electoral and cultural cornerstone. This divergence could pose challenges for the alliance’s unity, particularly in a state where regional and caste-based politics often dominate electoral calculations.

Conclusion

Yogi Adityanath’s slogan ‘Katenge to Batenge’ has sparked a debate that extends beyond electoral politics, touching on deeper ideological divides within the Maha Yuti Alliance. While Fadnavis’s defense positions the slogan as a historical and cultural truth, Ajit Pawar’s criticism reveals the discomfort of some alliance members with the BJP’s Hindutva-driven approach.

As Maharashtra heads to the polls on November 20, the controversy over the slogan reflects broader tensions within the alliance. The challenge for the Maha Yuti lies in balancing the BJP’s assertive Hindutva narrative with the more secular, regionally focused politics of its partners. Whether the alliance can navigate these differences effectively may determine its success in a high-stakes electoral battle against the Maha Vikas Aghadi.