Batenge Toh Katenge: The Reassertion of Hindu Identity
Narendra Modi’s rallying slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas in 2014 provided a sense of reassurance to a significant portion of the population, especially Hindus, who had long been grappling with their place in the broader national discourse. This was particularly poignant after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s controversial statement that the “minority” had the “first right to resources,” a remark that left many questioning secularism. In the wake of Prime Minister Modi's promise, the nation experienced a surge of development that many never imagined possible in their lifetimes. The list was impressive: new airports, modernized trains, revamped railway stations, LPG cylinders, new houses, better roads, bridges, waterways, toilets.... It was, without a doubt, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas in action. What made it stand out was the fact that, despite the criticism that the government faced for its perceived ‘right wing Hindu nationalist’ agenda, no one could credibly accuse it of di...
