In a year marked by political contests and cultural debates, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s speeches in 2024 transcended electoral rallies, becoming rallying cries that resonated deeply across India. His carefully crafted remarks, blending critique of opposition parties with appeals for unity among followers of Sanatan Dharma, cemented his position as a mass leader with a vision for a unified and culturally proud India.
Among his most impactful slogans was “Katenge Toh Batenge, Ek Rahenge Toh Nek Rahenge,” delivered in Agra in August. This phrase, urging unity among communities, gained traction nationwide as a symbol of his call for solidarity and shared purpose. It underscored a year where Adityanath repeatedly sought to redefine narratives on governance, culture, and justice.
Throughout 2024, his speeches targeted the opposition, particularly the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, accusing them of fostering division, lawlessness, and pseudo-secularism. In Etawah, he raised the issue of justice for the families of victims of mafia violence, including the widows of slain leaders like BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai and Umesh Pal.
He said: SP should give account of Mangalsutra of Alka Rai, Pooja-Jaya Pal" (April 25, Etawah). By questioning the opposition’s silence on these matters, Adityanath positioned himself as a crusader for justice and law and order.
In his addresses to marginalized communities, Adityanath invoked symbols like Bajrang Bali to emphasize the collective power of unity. At a BJP Backward Class Morcha meeting in Lucknow, he likened the strength of the OBC community to Bajrang Bali’s might, declaring their unity as a force capable of dismantling the divisive strategies of pseudo-secular politics. He said: "Bajrang Bali's power in OBC society will burn Ravana’s Lanka" (July 29, Lucknow)
The Chief Minister’s rhetoric often combined vivid imagery with sharp criticism. Phrases like “No Sadbhavna for Mafia and Goons, only the Bullet Train of Justice” captured his administration’s stance on women’s safety and law enforcement, while “SP ki Topi Laal, Kaarname Kaale” evoked allegations of corruption and criminality against his political opponents.
In Haryana, during an election rally, Adityanath critiqued Congress leaders as “Accidental Hindus raised in Roman culture,” a remark aimed at reinforcing BJP’s Hindutva narrative. His comments drew sharp criticism but also bolstered his party’s ideological position among its core supporters. Adityanath’s speeches also highlighted his focus on cultural pride and historical legacy. At the unveiling of Rashtraveer Durgadas Rathore’s statue in Agra, he called for national unity by reflecting on the lessons of divided nations like Bangladesh. His one-liner: "Batenge to katenge, ek rahenge to nek rahenge" (August 26, Agra) became the theme of election campaign in Haryana and Maharashtra
In the Winter session of the state assembly, he reaffirmed India’s cultural identity, emphasizing the legacy of figures like Ram, Krishna, and Buddha while advocating mutual respect among religious communities. He said: "India will uphold the legacy of Ram, Krishna, and Buddha" (December 16, Lucknow).
Through his speeches, Adityanath painted a narrative of a strong, unified, and culturally rooted Uttar Pradesh, countering what he described as the opposition’s failures and divisive politics. As the year closes, his rhetoric has not only solidified his political standing but also ensured his voice continues to echo in the state’s political and cultural discourse.
