AAP's Punjab Playbook: Party Turns to Ashutosh Rana-Starrer 'Humare Ram' to Keep BJP in Check
In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has approved staging 40 free shows of the theatrical play Humare Ram, starring actor Ashutosh Rana. This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage with Hindu voters, who constitute approximately 38% of the state's population and are predominantly concentrated in urban centers like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala.
Cultural Outreach or Political Strategy?
While the AAP officially maintains that the proposal aims to promote cultural heritage and social harmony, party insiders reveal a deeper political motive. The idea is to build a religious-cultural platform that helps the party remain visible among Hindus, an AAP leader stated, highlighting concerns over the BJP's growing support in urban areas. The play, a retelling of the Ramayana, begins from the perspective of Lord Ram's sons, Luv and Kush, and explores scenes never before shown on stage.
Background of AAP's Hindu Outreach
The AAP's carefully crafted Hindu outreach began in November 2024 with the appointment of Aman Arora, a Hindu, as the president of its Punjab unit, replacing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a Sikh. This move was seen as an attempt to expand the party's footprint among Hindus and in urban centers, where the BJP has been gaining ground. The BJP's vote share in Punjab grew from 6.6% in the 2022 Assembly polls to over 18% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while AAP's share slipped to 26.2% from 42%.
Since the Lok Sabha polls, the AAP is confident of its support base in rural areas. However, the urban Hindu vote is a bit of a worry, an AAP leader noted, adding that a potential alliance between the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could further corner the party.
Additional Measures to Woo Hindu Voters
The AAP's outreach extends beyond the play, including:
- Backing the newly launched Sanatan Seva Samiti, headed by Deepak Bali, with senior AAP leaders participating in its events.
- Announcing plans to introduce a Hindu Temples Act, giving temples autonomy in managing their affairs, as assured by CM Bhagwant Mann in May 2025.
- Establishing 14 caste-based welfare boards in August last year, many catering to Hindu communities such as Brahmins, Aggarwals, and Rajputs.
- Organizing a Shukrana Yatra in late 2024, with halts at prominent Hindu temples, and Mann visiting several temples during the procession.
Official Denials and Political Implications
Despite these efforts, AAP leaders like Deepak Bali deny any targeted Hindu outreach, stating, There is no Hindu outreach. We respect all communities and castes equally. The AAP believes in inclusivity and winning voters' hearts through good work and governance. However, the emphasis on Hindu caste groupings and symbolic religious visibility has not gone unnoticed, positioning the AAP to counter the BJP's appeal in a Sikh-majority state where every vote counts.
