‘Ek hain toh safe hain’ vs ‘Daroge toh maroge’: Political slogans defined 2024 polls | India News

NEW DELHI: In the 2024 election season, political slogans have become more than just catchy phrases; They were powerful tools for influencing public opinion, mobilizing voters, and shaping the narratives of various campaigns. Slogans, often brief but impactful, summarized the central messages of political parties and provided a sense of direction to their followers. These slogans reflected both the optimism and anxieties of the electorate and played a crucial role in the electoral battle.
Among the most discussed and divisive slogans was the one that resonated across Maharashtra, where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s statement “Batoge Toh Katoge” took center stage. The slogan quickly attracted attention and provoked criticism and appeasement from different political sectors. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not officially endorse it, it also did not deny its implications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoided using the controversial phrase in his speeches, but subtly adapted it into a more acceptable version: “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai” (If we are united, then safe). The message conveyed was clear: unity, especially within the Hindu vote bank, was essential to maintain political strength.
The 2024 elections witnessed a fierce battle not only for seats but also for narrative dominance, and slogans played an important role in this contest. From aggressive campaign messages to calls for unity, political parties crafted slogans designed to resonate with diverse sectors of society, often invoking deeply held concerns, cultural identities and aspirations.
Here’s a look at some of the most impactful slogans that shaped the 2024 election landscape.

BJP’s “Abki Baar 400 Par”

The BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continued its ambitious quest to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha with the slogan “Abki Baar 400 Paar” (This time, more than 400 seats). Riding on the success of its 2019 campaign slogan, “Abki Baar 300 Paar”, this slogan reinforced the party’s confidence in expanding its reach and political dominance and also an undercurrent of fear of losing seats. With the promise of winning over 400 seats, the BJP sought to project an image of unquestionable strength and political ascendancy. The slogan was not only about ensuring a victory but also about setting an optimistic tone for the future governance of the party.

“Batenge Toh Katenge” and “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain”

In Maharashtra, where the BJP was facing competition from both regional parties and the Congress, two slogans stood out: “Batenge Toh Katenge” and “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain”. The first, “Batenge Toh Katenge”, aimed to rally the Hindu voter base by warning against fragmentation and division.

The second, “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain” (If United, Then Safe), was aimed at promoting unity within the Hindu community as a safeguard against political opponents. These slogans were particularly significant in Maharashtra, a state with a large number of constituencies and a complex political landscape. They sought to consolidate the Hindu vote and strengthen the BJP’s position, both at the state and national levels.

“Eknath Hain Toh Hain Sure”

The Shiv Sena, in a bid to ensure Enath Shinde’s dominance in the Maharastra polls, modified Prime Minister Modi’s slogan “Ek hain to safe hain” to “Ek(Nath) hai to safe hain”, advocating that Eknath Shinde remained the chief minister of Maharashtra. The adjustment came after the Mahayuti coalition’s strong performance in the recent assembly elections.

Prime Minister Modi had previously used the original slogan to promote unity, calling it the country’s “maha-mantra”. Drawing a parallel with Bihar, where Nitish Kumar continues as CM despite his party’s lower number of seats, the Sena argued that Shinde should retain his role.

The “Daroge Toh Maroge” of Congress

In an attempt to counter the BJP’s ‘Batenge’ slogan, the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress Party introduced the slogan ‘Daroge Toh Maroge’ (If you are afraid, you will die) during the elections. The slogan sought to empower the masses to resist what the Congress described as the BJP’s authoritarian tactics and “atmosphere of fear”. He was inspired by Gandhi’s recent comments encouraging people to overcome fear and challenge the BJP’s dominance.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge popularized the slogan in Jharkhand, accusing the BJP of running divisive politics and creating fear. He contrasted the BJP’s aggressive rhetoric, exemplified by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “Batoge Toh Katoge” (If you speak, you will suffer), with the Congress’s message of resistance and courage.

“Samvidhan Khatre Mein Hai”

In a bold campaign strategy, the Congress raised alarm bells about the future of the Indian Constitution with the slogan “Samvidhan Khatre Mein Hai” (Constitution is in danger). Congress leaders, especially Rahul Gandhi, attempted to take advantage of public fears about the erosion of democratic principles and the possible weakening of the Constitution. The party framed the BJP as a threat to the nation’s constitutional integrity, presenting the saffron party as willing to dismantle or alter the founding document of the Republic. This slogan resonated with a significant section of voters who were worried about the BJP’s increasing centralization of power and attempts to modify the constitutional structure. Despite the BJP’s denials, the Congress managed to keep this issue on the agenda, ensuring that it remained in public discourse.

Congress’s “Jal Jangal Jamin” against BJP’s “Roti, Beti, Aur Mati”

In Jharkhand, the Congress addressed tribal voters with the slogan “Jal Jangal Jamin” (Water, Land, Forest), which resonated deeply with the concerns of the region’s indigenous communities. Congress sought to present itself as the protector of tribal rights, focusing on issues of land, water and forest resources that directly impacted the livelihoods of tribal communities. In response, the BJP launched its own slogan, “Roti, Beti, Aur Mati” (Food, Daughters and Land), which aimed to address broader issues of livelihood, women’s security and land rights. While the Congress emphasized environmental and tribal concerns, the BJP focused on economic empowerment and social security, hoping to attract a broader section of voters.

“Sajag Raho” from RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP, played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in the elections, mobilizing its vast network of cadres to support the BJP’s cause. The RSS motto, “Sajag Raho” (Be Alert), called on its members to remain alert and defend the nation from external and internal threats. This slogan was central to the Sangh’s strategy of galvanizing support for the BJP through its extensive grassroots network, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. By emphasizing vigilance, the RSS sought to create a sense of urgency and responsibility among voters, urging them to safeguard India’s cultural and political identity.

“Khatakhat Khatakhat”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his rally in Rajasthan to symbolize the rapid progress and development promised by his party, said that “aapke account mein 1 Lakh aaenge “Khatakhat Khatakhat”. The phrase “Khatakhat Khatakhat” was intended to convey the idea of a quick and immediate solution action to eliminate poverty, with a promise to transfer Rs 1 lakh annually to women from households below the poverty line under the Mahalakshmi East scheme. slogan appealed to voters’ aspirations for quick and tangible benefits, hoping to portray Congress as a party focused on accelerated development. In response, Prime Minister Modi mocked the slogan and predicted that Congress leaders. they would flee the country for the summer holidays after the elections, a development that could not have been expected, a mockery that sought to portray Rahul Gandhi and his associates as disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
The 2024 election season was a year of slogan warfare to shape political discourse and influence voter behavior. These slogans were not mere political tools but encapsulated the aspirations, fears and concerns of the electorate. From the BJP’s strong calls for unity and political dominance to the Congress’s calls for constitutional protection and empowerment, these slogans captured the essence of the political battle.
Whether promoting unity, addressing fundamental issues such as land and livelihoods, or warning against perceived threats to democracy, slogans proved to be a crucial element in the success of political campaigns. Their ability to summarize complex political messages into a simple, memorable sentence made them indispensable to parties and leaders alike. In a nation as diverse and complex as India, where political campaigns are often decided by emotional appeal as much as policy, slogans remain a vital tool in shaping the narrative and winning the hearts and minds of the voters.