The slogan "Ek hain toh safe hain" (Together, we are safe), promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has emerged as a central feature of the BJP’s strategy in Maharashtra's Assembly elections. The slogan, which targets Congress for allegedly fostering division among backward classes, was prominently showcased in full-page advertisements in Maharashtra newspapers. The advertisements also included the logos of BJP's Mahayuti alliance partners, Shiv Sena and the NCP, reinforcing the unified front of the ruling alliance.
Prime Minister Modi’s remarks, framed as a critique of Congress, claim that the party’s policies have contributed to social rifts, thereby endangering the security of various communities. He argued that by promoting the notion of unity, his government stands in stark contrast to the Congress’s divisive politics. The BJP's use of this slogan aims to rally people around the idea of unity in the face of what they perceive as the Congress’s history of playing identity-based politics.
However, the message did not go without backlash. Opposition parties, particularly Congress, were quick to accuse the BJP of using the slogan to deepen societal divisions. Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge sharply questioned the need for such rhetoric, asking who in India felt threatened to warrant the use of such a message. He suggested that the real threat to the country comes not from external forces but from the BJP and the RSS, pointing to their alleged role in promoting a divisive and polarizing agenda. Kharge compared Modi’s slogan "Ek hain toh safe hain" with the BJP's own earlier rhetoric of "batenge toh katenge" (divided, we fall), which is seen as an effort to create a narrative of fear, making people believe that unity can only be ensured through adherence to the BJP’s vision.
Kharge’s remarks reflect Congress’s broader strategy of framing the BJP as the true source of social and political unrest in the country. Congress leaders have often accused the ruling party of using fear-mongering tactics, especially in the lead-up to elections, to consolidate votes by pitting different communities against each other. By highlighting the BJP's perceived failure to address core issues such as unemployment, economic recovery, and social justice, Congress seeks to position itself as the party that values diversity and inclusivity, in stark contrast to the BJP’s approach of promoting a singular, unified national identity at the expense of social cohesion.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the slogan faced pushback from within the BJP-led alliance itself. Ajit Pawar, the leader of the NCP and a key ally of the BJP in Maharashtra, publicly objected to the slogan’s original version—‘batting toh katenge’. Introduced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the version had been criticized for its overtly divisive tone. In an interview, Pawar argued that such rhetoric was not suitable for Maharashtra, where voters were more concerned with tangible issues like development, infrastructure, and economic stability rather than divisive slogans. Pawar’s objection underscores the growing tensions within the Mahayuti alliance, as different factions within the coalition have varying approaches to campaigning, with some leaders pushing for more positive messages centered on governance and others favoring polarizing tactics.
The resistance to the slogan within the BJP alliance also signals the difficulty of crafting a unified message in a diverse state like Maharashtra. The state’s electorate is complex, with a wide range of political, cultural, and social backgrounds. While Modi’s message of unity and safety may resonate with some, others might find it condescending or manipulative, especially in the context of Maharashtra’s long-standing regional, linguistic, and caste-based politics.
The controversy surrounding the slogan "Ek hain toh safe hain" is emblematic of the larger ideological battle in Maharashtra, where the BJP and its allies are attempting to position themselves as defenders of national security and unity, while the opposition, led by Congress and supported by regional parties like the NCP and Shiv Sena, is framing the election as a choice between inclusive development and divisive politics. Both sides are engaged in a fierce competition to present themselves as the true representatives of the people’s aspirations, with the state’s political landscape becoming a battleground for ideas about identity, unity, and governance.
As the Assembly elections in Maharashtra approach, the slogan debate is likely to intensify, with both sides using it as a tool to rally their respective bases. Whether Modi’s appeal for unity will sway voters or whether the opposition’s charge of divisive tactics will resonate with the electorate remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the political discourse in Maharashtra is not just about promises of governance but also about framing the narrative around national identity, security, and the future direction of the state.
