Yogi Adityanath faces backlash amid rising anti-Hindu sentiments.
The Opposition has accused Yogi Adityanath of engaging in polarisation tactics, alleging that he uses his position to promote a divisive agenda aimed at heightening Hindu anxieties. This strategy, according to critics, is designed to consolidate the Hindu vote by fostering a sense of fear and insecurity among the community. The accusations suggest that Adityanath’s rhetoric and policies are intentionally crafted to create a sharp divide along religious lines, thereby strengthening his political base. These actions have led to significant controversy, with opponents arguing that such tactics undermine social harmony and unity.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks, “Batenge toh Katenge” (divided we shall perish), have sparked considerable controversy. His words, delivered without diplomatic nuance, come in the wake of diplomatic tensions related to the pogrom against Hindus in Bangladesh. Adityanath is known for his unapologetic rhetoric, and his latest statement is no exception. While these remarks may cause discomfort in Dhaka, where authorities are likely to retreat into silence, they have also ignited a fierce debate in India.
The timing of Adityanath’s statement coincides with the release of an Islamist extremist in Bangladesh, known for his hostile stance towards India and Hindus. This juxtaposition has only intensified the reactions within India, where the opposition has reacted strongly to the Chief Minister’s words. The opposition, which prides itself on secular-liberal values, has accused Adityanath of polarisation, claiming that he is using his position to deliver a divisive message aimed at stoking Hindu anxieties. The goal, they argue, is to consolidate the Hindu vote by painting Muslims as aggressors.
These accusations are not without merit. Yogi Adityanath’s remarks appear to be a calculated political move, aimed at addressing a specific electoral challenge. With only a few weeks remaining before ten assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath is keen to consolidate the Hindu vote, which has shown signs of fracturing. By invoking Hindutva themes, he hopes to rally the various subordinate castes that have drifted away from the BJP, a drift that is estimated to have cost the party at least 20 parliamentary seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Adityanath’s strategy hinges on a counter-polarisation effect. His blunt rhetoric, though lacking in subtlety, is rich in substance, resonating with Hindus who are acutely aware of their vulnerability when divided. Historical lessons reinforce this awareness. During the pre-independence era, the British exploited existing caste, linguistic, and religious divisions among Hindus, creating new categories to fragment the population. Isolated by their own prejudices, Hindus became easy prey for colonial manipulation.
Mahatma Gandhi recognized the need for unity and successfully integrated Hindu religious symbolism into the freedom movement, promising a “Ram Rajya.” This move, however, also played into Muslim anxieties, skillfully manipulated by the British. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, representing Muslim interests, warned against living in a “Hindu India” and promised an exclusive homeland for Muslims, which eventually became Pakistan.
The legacy of this division continues to reverberate, most notably in Kashmir. In the late 1980s, the Muslim majority, driven by a desire for their version of the “Land of the Pure,” turned against the Hindu minority, resulting in a tragic exodus that deeply scarred interfaith relations. The lack of widespread condemnation of this xenophobia at the time underscores Yogi Adityanath’s current argument: Hindus, distracted and divided by internal politics, failed to stand up for justice.
Political observers have noted that even when there was a need to speak out, Centre-Left leaders remained silent, prioritizing their Muslim vote banks over the plight of Kashmiri Hindus. This vacuum allowed the BJP, in the late 1980s and 1990s, to step in and appeal to a growing sense of siege among Hindus. The party’s success in mobilizing the Hindu vote led non-BJP parties to counter by stoking anti-Hindu sentiments, a strategy that continues to this day.
For a time, the BJP managed to overcome these counter-mobilization efforts and benefited from Hindu consolidation. However, the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections suggest that the party’s tactics may have reached their limit, and the opposition appears to have devised an effective response. The question now is whether Yogi Adityanath, often hailed as the “Hindu Hriday Samrat” (King of Hindu Hearts), can step in and reverse the BJP’s declining influence over its grand Hindu social coalition.
Adityanath’s recent remarks, though polarizing, may be an attempt to reignite the BJP’s base. By invoking fears of division and external threats, he is likely aiming to re-energize the Hindu vote. However, this strategy is not without risks. While it may succeed in the short term, it could also deepen societal divisions and provoke further backlash from the opposition, which is already capitalizing on the BJP’s perceived overreach.
As the by-elections approach, all eyes will be on Yogi Adityanath to see if his polarizing rhetoric will translate into electoral success or if it will backfire, leaving the BJP struggling to maintain its hold over Uttar Pradesh. The stakes are high, and the outcome of this political gamble will have significant implications for the future of both Adityanath’s career and the BJP’s strategy in India’s complex and evolving political landscape.