HE BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections has been both celebrated and scrutinized, with the slogan "Batenge to katenge" often highlighted as the pivotal factor behind this success. This catchphrase—translating to "if we are divided, we will be cut down"—has been interpreted in various ways, reflecting the complex socio-political landscape of India. But it calls for a deeper exploration of the reasons and implications behind this electoral triumph.
In my view, "Batenge to katenge" is just the tip of the iceberg. The winning phrase seems to indicate that a Hindu consolidation ensured Mahayuti's victory. Then what of the reported 22 percent of Muslims who also voted for the so-called rightwing alliance? Again, the official answer trotted out is that Ajit Pawar pulled in these votes.
In support of this thesis, we even saw some identifiably Muslim Mahayuti supporters offering their own interpretation of the slogan. According to them, all Indians, regardless of whether we are Hindus or Muslims, must unite for the national good. That is the true meaning of "Batenge to katenge". If true, this is indeed heartening. Yet, traditionally, "batna" has been a common word for conversion to Islam.
If it now implies a reverse coalition, if not conversion, into a cohesive Hindu Muslim Indian identity and voting bloc, that is definitely welcome. But how many believe this to be true? It seems far more idealistic than is perhaps warranted—wishful thinking rather than the ground reality in most of India. For, everywhere else in India, the same slogan has been seen as an electoral war-cry against Muslims and a rallying call to Hindus to support the BJP and its partners.
Denne historien er fra December 08, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express Shivamogga.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 08, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express Shivamogga.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Do early screening to prevent vision loss due to diabetes
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
GREEN CORNER IN BOXING DAY BOUT
MCG curator says grass on the surface should excite pacers
Beau is not afraid of Test challenges
IMAGINE being Beau Webster. You had just helped Tasmania beat New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Sheffield Shield game around late November. A 61 and 49 with the bat while taking five wickets across two innings. You get called up as cover for Mitchell Marsh ahead of the pink ball Test against India.
Scrap dealer's son Sairaj claims gold
SAIRAJ Pardeshi was pretty clear what he had to become when he was only eight.
Naveen & Lokesh one hit away from national glory
IT was a mixed outing for shuttlers from Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Senior National Badminton Championships in Bengaluru on Monday.
Hyderabad FC squander 2-goal lead to suffer loss
HYDERABAD FC have endured a difficult run in the ongoing Indian Super League so far. And things turned from bad to worse on Monday.
Adani Defence acquires 85.8% in Air Works
ADANI DEFENCE Systems & Technologies Ltd. (ADSTL) in acquiring 85.8% shareholding in Air Works (AWIEPL), India's largest private sector MRO company with the largest pan-India footprint, said the Adani Group company on Monday. ADSTL will acquire the stake at an enterprise value of ₹400 crore.
Razorpay grants employees ₹1L ESOPs to mark 10-yr of operation
FINTECH major Razorpay is awarding employee stock option plans (ESOPs) worth ₹1 lakh to all its current employees as part of its 10 years celebration.
Honda-Nissan to be 3rd-largest carmaker
JAPANESE auto giants Honda and Nissan have announced plans to merge operations, creating the world's third-largest automaker by sales, trailing only Toyota and Volkswagen.
Women represent 20% of crypto exchange CoinDCX's high networth customers
WITH the increasing adoption of cryptocurrency, women are now representing 20% of crypto exchange CoinDCX's HNI (high net-worth individual) customers.