Holy city plays host to BJP-AAP slogan war

VARANASI: With the entry of Arvind Kejriwal against Narendra Modi in Varanasi Lok Sabha elections, a bitter slogan and pamphlet war has started between Aam Aadmi Party and Bhartiya Janata Party supporters.

While BJP's slogans are around Modi's larger than life image and promise of good governance and development apart from targeting Kejriwal, the AAP seems to be playing both the Hindutava and the secular cards wrapped in spiritual legacy of the city and party's anti-corruption plank.

While the BJP leaders say that their development slogan has found resonance in all sections of the society, the AAP volunteers claim that their version of Hindutava is based on 'bhaichara and sarv-dharma-sambhav propagated by mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekanand which unifies and not divides.

Sample this: Modi in his Varanasi rally in December last year chose to spoke from the stage having a big picture of Lord Shiva and Kashi Vishwanath temple in the backdrop. The stage of Kejriwal's public meeting had life size picture of Banaras Hindu University founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, a freedom fighter who was also known for his right leanings. While Modi in his rally raised slogan of Bharat Mata ki jai and Vande Matram, besides acknowledging Har Har Modi (distortion of Har Har Mahadev) chant by BJP leaders which likened him to Lord Shiva, the AAP public meeting saw volunteers shouting Bharat Mata ki jai and Vande Matram alongwith Inqlab Jinabad. And, to top it all, people in the crowd in AAP public meeting together raised Har Har Mahadev and Allah Ho Akbar (both hailing God as great). Vande Matram and Allah ho Akbar used to raised together during non-cooperation and khilafat movement led by Gandhi.

During two-day visit of Kejriwal, BJP leader chased him showing black flags and shouting slogans - Kashi kare ek sawal, Dilli ka bhagoda Kejriwal (Kashi, which is another name of Varanasi, asks question why Kejriwal ran away from responsibility in Delhi). AAP volunteers responded with - Kashi ka ek hee lal, Kejriwal Kejriwal (Kejriwal is the favourite son of Kashi).

When Modi described Kejriwal as AK 49 and a Pakistani agent, BJP supporters came out with - Dilli ka kiya bura hal, sharam karo Kejriwal (Kejrwal should be ashamed for spoiling Delhi). AAP leaders shot back with - Bharat ki har ma ka lal, Kejriwal (Kejriwal is the son of all mothers of India); Bharshtachariyon ka kaal, Kejriwal (Kejriwal is nemesis for corrupt) and AAP ki charcha, AAP ka josh, bhrashtachari huay behosh (Corrupt are losing out because of AAP's popularity and enthusiasm).

Following objections by Hindu seers Modi has asked supporters not to raise Har Har Modi, but his supporters continue to use the slogan. They even have come out with another slogan comparing Modi to Goddess Durga - 'Yo Modi sarvbhuteshu..." They are also raising slogan 'Dil mei modi, tan mei modi, kashi ke kan kan me Modi' (the slogan also likens Modi to Lord Shiva who is said to be in every particle of Kashi).

In response, AAP has also used tweaked a verse from Ramcharitmanas written by Saint Tulsidas to praise Kejriwal and convey that Varanasi is witnessing fight between David and Goliath - Ravan rathi, virath Raghuvera, Tulsi kahen Arvind heera. In the original verse, Saint Tulsidas says Ravan had a chariot and Lord Ram was on foot but still the mighty demon king was defeated. In the slogan, AAP has tweaked the second part of the verse into Tulsidas saying that Arvind is a gem of a person.

BJP slogans also highlight Modi as a man who will bring development and good governance -- Bahut hua kisan par atyachar, abki Bar Modi sarkar; Bahut huee bijlee pani ki hahakar, abki bar Modi sarkar and Bahut huee goondagardi aur lootmar, abki bar modi sarkar.

To counter it, AAP has come out with two religion-based slogans describing development claims as bundle of lies -- the first one is: 'Dol raha Shiv ka Trishul, Kumhlayega jooth ka phool' (Lord Shiva's trident is in motion and lies will not last long). Here BJP's election symbol lotus (flower) has been used to denote lies.

The second slogan is: Dam, dam, dam , dam damroo baje, Kashi me sachchai saje. (Lord Shiva's is playing his damroo - a small two-headed drum shaped like an hour glass -, which means that in Kashi only truth survives). Another one attacks development plank - Vikas ka nara farji hai, insaf se allergy hai (The slogan of development is fake and Modi is allergic to justice)an which tries to convey that riot victims in Gujarat have not got justice.

Similarly, in order to woo Muslims, some AAP slogans have names of Saints Kabir and Raidas as well as river Ganga to dub BJP as a party of rioters - 'Kabira Raidas pukare, dangaiyon ko door bhaga re' and 'Bol rahi hai Ganga Mai, bachne na paye dangayee'. Further, to project that the party aims for Hindu-Muslim unity, party has coined slogan - Hindu-Muslim sabne thana, Arvind ko hai lana.

AAP has also come up with one-liners keeping in mind the huge population of Dalits in Varanasi - 'Jati dharm ka todo jaal, Kashi aaye Kejriwal'. Volunteers are also narrating story of Adi Shankracharya, who during his stay in Varanasi after meeting Lord Shiva in the guise of a Chandaal (considered to be among the lowest castes) realised that God is in every living being and matter.

On the other hand, a pamphlet entitled 'Kashi kare panch sawal, jawab dou Kejriwal' containing pictures of Osama Bin Laden, Afjal Guru, Kasab and Kashmiri separatist leaders and questioning AAP leaders stand on referendum in Kashmir and mercy petition for Afjal Guru has been circulated by one 'Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena".

In retaliation, AAP has released a pamphlet having details of 'corrupt and criminals' in NDA and UPA. It also alleges that Modi and Rahul Gandhi are on Ambani pay roll. One of the AAP slogans also accuses BJP and Congress of indulging in crony capitalism - Chamke panja, kamal ka phool, Ambani ka jhoola jhool.

AAP is also using 'Hindu religious values' by publicising that the BJP supporters claim themselves to be torch bearer of Hinduism but threw egg on a person (Kejriwal), who after taking dip in holy Ganga, was coming out of Kaal Bhairav Temple after offering prayers.