New Delhi:

As soon as the dust settles on the Indo-Pak conflict, cultural flashpoints tied to Pakistan may resurface across the country. One recurring issue is the slogan of “Pakistan Zindabad.” It’s no coincidence that this chant surfacing on social media or at political events, frequently used to provoke or target the BJP. Once dismissed by many as harmless and benign, especially before the Pahalgam attack, the slogan will no longer be ignored.

Classic cases from Karnataka

Now after the Pahalgam attack, tensions between India and Pakistan reignited. What earlier seemed like empty slogans for some liberals, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ may now be seen in a more serious light—especially in the echo chamber of social media. In Karnataka alone, two individuals have been detained for inflammatory posts, one of which reportedly said, “Jai Pakistan.”

In May last year, after Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, his supporters entered Vidhana Soudha—the state secretariat—and chanted “Pakistan Zindabad.” As expected, a political storm followed. The BJP accused the Congress of harbouring anti-nationals, demanded their arrest insisting that those who shouted the slogan, had crossed a red line. The Congress dismissed the incident as BJP’s fabrication, a stance echoed by several online magazines and fact-checkers who criticised the BJP for politicising it. Some Congress leaders had even downplayed the slogan, calling it harmless and unintentional. Despite the state-owned forensic lab confirming that the slogan was indeed shouted when Hussain exited the counting hall, the Congress appeared to have buried the issue.

Politics, slogans, and Pakistan polls

As political scientist Xin notes, slogans help politicians convince, attract, and mobilise people—or dissuade them from certain actions. Another academic Colberg, who extensively worked in this field, puts forth his view well. “For politicians, slogans become vital because they represent beliefs, platforms, and legacies. A politician’s programme is often distilled into a single catchy phrase,” argues Colberg. In that sense, slogans are vehicles of political ideas and messages—Pakistan Zindabad being one of them.

Before debating the issue further, it is apt to trace the history of slogans and their utility for the political class. To win public support, politicians rely on sharp messaging and persuasive language—delivered through optics, narratives, and slogans. Major political and social events in the past, often left behind enduring slogans and India is no exception. For instance, when the Bofors scandal became a national issue, one opposition slogan that resonated widely and etched in public memory was: Gali Gali Mein Shor Hai, Rajiv Gandhi Chor Hai.

Indian elections, by contrast, see the recurring slogan, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, long favoured by the BJP. Of course, we have witnessed parties targeting each other through slogans and messages. It is no secret that Indian election campaigns have at times become polarized over Muslim issues—both pro and anti—yet no mainstream party has dared to officially use slogans targeting Muslims or Pakistan.

This restraint is notably absent in Pakistan. The 2018 elections in Pakistan featured several inflammatory slogans against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Examples documented by Pakistani academics, Akram Gul Akram and Liaqat Iqbal include:

Kat ke rahagaya Hindustan, ban ke rahega Pakistan (“Hindustan will be divided, Pakistan will be formed”)

Bat ke rahega Hindustan, le ke rahenge Pakistan (“Hindustan will be split, we will take Pakistan”)

Such rhetoric underscores a deeper intensity of hostility among Pakistanis toward India and the BJP.

According to two Pakistani scholars, A. Farooq and M. Asif, the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ may have first echoed at the 1940 Lahore Conference of the All-India Muslim League, where the leaders pushed for a separate Muslim nation.
Returning to the current political landscape, the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ appeared to have resurfaced more frequently during victory rallies of non-BJP leaders in elections or in statements expressing anger towards the BJP—particularly following the consecration of Ram Mandir and abrogation of Article 370.

Unlike India, elections in Pakistan often feature overtly anti-India and anti- Narendra Modi (BJP) slogans. In the 2018 general elections, Imran Khan’s PTI used the slogan Modi Ka Jo Yaar Hai, Ghaddar Hai Ghaddar Hai (“Whoever is a friend of Modi is a traitor”) to target former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharief.

How to deal with slogan-mongers?

A recent ruling by the Karnataka High Court in a “bike wheeling” case could offer some guidance. The court denied bail to a repeat offender who had caused public nuisance by reckless bike stunts. Even though the prosecution had filed a final chargesheet, the court refused bail citing the accused’s history of repeated offenses.

A similar principle could be adopted for slogan mongers. Instead of an immediate crackdown, authorities could examine the background of individuals shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. First-time offenders could be let off with a warning. If repeated, action could be taken after giving them one or two chances. This approach balances law enforcement with constitutional values, avoiding overreaction while still maintaining public order. However, if authorities identify suspicious behaviour or uncover evidence suggesting a more sinister intent behind the slogans, they are well within their rights to make arrests.

In this context, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ cannot be dismissed as harmless noise echoing in empty chambers. Both the Indian Constitution and the judiciary have repeatedly emphasised the importance of free speech as a cornerstone of democracy. Given this, those shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogan may plead innocence citing it is their freedom of expression. In this context, should authorities react harshly every time someone shouts it? Should we keep filling our already overcrowded jails with such individuals? Or is there a more measured approach?

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