Why are young people joining Hindutva? The answer isn't just religion
Hindutva's appeal to youth stems from its ability to offer a powerful sense of belonging, dignity, and community to a non-elite demographic
By Anuja Chauhan January 25, 2026
The brain behind some of the most memorable ad slogans like Yeh Dil Maange More, Oye Bubbly and Nothing official about it, Anuja Chauhan worked with JWT India for more than 17 years. A best-seller author, screenwriter and an advertising consultant, she is also a Contributing Editor of THE WEEK.
Hindutva's appeal to youth stems from its ability to offer a powerful sense of belonging, dignity, and community to a non-elite demographic
By Anuja Chauhan January 25, 2026The Indian obsession with Pakistan is a complex love-hate relationship, evident in both hyper-patriotic Bollywood films and the subtle adoption of Pakistani cultural aesthetics
By Anuja Chauhan January 11, 2026The Viksit Bharat scheme name contains a coded, subservient religious message ("Ji, Ram Ji") that reflects a wider trend of shutting down democratic debate
By Anuja Chauhan December 28, 2025Modern ambiguity pervades our "tainted world", where it's hard to distinguish between what's natural and what's skilfully enhanced. This uncertainty manifests across beauty, politics, and cinema, drawing parallels with the iconic Maybelline tagline
By Anuja Chauhan November 30, 2025Indian cricketers in advertising have evolved dramatically, from the early challenges of stars like Mohammad Azharuddin and the rise of polished professionals like Virat Kohli, to the unstudied, authentic charm of the women cricketers
By Anuja Chauhan November 16, 2025India's cultural politics reveal a growing pattern of religious division and the suppression of narratives that challenge the dominant Hindutva ideology, exemplified by the denial of entry to scholars like Francesca Orsini and the contentious push for an extended Diwali holiday
By Anuja Chauhan November 02, 2025Diwali celebrations are undergoing a significant transformation, moving from the nostalgic crackle of childhood fireworks to a call for impactful "truth bombs" that address societal issues
By Anuja Chauhan October 19, 2025I was particularly impressed by two individuals who followed up their birthday wishes for PM Modi with two very different sorts of birthday presents
By Anuja Chauhan October 05, 2025Arundhati Roy’s ‘Mother Mary Comes to Me’ is an essential companion piece, offering vivid behind-the-scenes insights into the inspirations for "The God of Small Things"
By Anuja Chauhan September 21, 2025Profanity in public discourse, exemplified by Dr Christine Fair's recent comments about Donald Trump, sparks a broader discussion on language evolution and the shifting boundaries of acceptable speech
By Anuja Chauhan September 07, 2025Election Commission faces a significant self-created PR disaster stemming from its mishandling of recent allegations. Their defensive and biased response has only escalated public scrutiny and bolstered the opposition's narrative
By Anuja Chauhan August 24, 2025Smriti Irani's much-anticipated ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ reboot sparks discussions about her acting comeback and political trajectory
By Anuja Chauhan August 10, 2025PM Modi's political future faces scrutiny as he approaches 75, the unofficial BJP retirement age that has sidelined other senior leaders. A look at the implications of his age on leadership, alongside a broader societal obsession with fitness and the reluctance of prominent figures to yield their positions
By Anuja Chauhan July 27, 2025We should speak to children about death
By Anuja Chauhan June 29, 2025Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade declared at a public meeting in Udaipur that the marriage between Mughal Emperor Akbar and a Rajput princess, Jodha Bai, is a “fabrication”
By Anuja Chauhan June 15, 2025