As the countdown to the 2025 Maha Kumbh begins, political temperatures are rising alongside preparations for the grand event. Controversy has erupted over posters bearing the slogan “Darenge Toh Marenge” (If You Fear, You Die) that have appeared in several locations across Prayagraj.
The slogan comes in the wake of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's earlier remark, “Batenge Toh Katenge” (If We Divide, We Perish).
The Maha Kumbh, set to commence on Pausha Purnima (January 13, 2025), is drawing national and international attention. However, these provocative posters, attributed to Jagadguru Ramanandacharya, founder of the Vaishnava South Peeth in Nanij Dham, have sparked a heated debate.
Prominently displayed near the Nag Vasuki temple and other areas in the Kumbh region, the posters bear the image of the spiritual leader alongside the contentious slogan, potentially setting the stage for another political and social controversy. This is not the first time Jagadguru Ramanandacharya has employed such methods to make bold statements. Ahead of the 2019 Kumbh, he had displayed posters advocating for the construction of the Ram Temple, a demand that resonated widely in the region. The new “Darenge Toh Marenge” posters, however, have introduced a sharper edge to the ongoing discourse around religious and social unity. The controversy finds its roots in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s August 26 speech in Agra during Krishna Janmashtami, where he warned against internal divisions, stating, “If we divide, we perish.”
He linked the slogan to the plight of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh following the August 5 military coup, cautioning against similar mistakes in India. His remarks, later endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 5, have since become a rallying cry for his supporters. With millions of devotees and tourists expected to attend the month-long Maha Kumbh, such slogans and controversies may overshadow preparations and lead to a political faceoff. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation to ensure the spiritual sanctity of the event is preserved amidst the growing polarization.
As the date for the Maha Kumbh nears, Prayagraj is preparing to welcome the world to one of the largest religious gatherings. However, the challenges posed by these political and ideological clashes could test the administration’s ability to balance tradition with modern-day sensitivities.
