In the context of political theory, the concept of polyphony—originally developed by Mikhail Bakhtin to describe a plurality of independent and unmerged voices in literature—can be used to analyze the "conflicting" views and rhetorical layers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While polyphony in a novel suggests an author who steps back to let characters speak for themselves, in political discourse, it often describes a strategy where a leader inhabits multiple, sometimes contradictory, personas to appeal to diverse audiences.
1. The Multi-Voiced Persona
PM Modi frequently employs "heteroglossia" (diverse social languages) to project different identities simultaneously:
- The Global Statesman: In international forums like the G7 or UN, his voice emphasizes a "rules-based order," inclusivity, and the "concerns of the Global South".
- The Cultural Nationalist: In regional contexts, his rhetoric shifts toward "cultural nationalism" and the supremacy of specific religious values, such as during his 2025 speech in Lumbini.
- The "Ordinary" Citizen: Through tropes like the chaiwala (tea-seller) or chowkidar (watchman), he adopts a colloquial, "everyday" speech-genre to establish an intimate connection with the masses.
2. Rhetorical Contradictions as Polyphonic Strategy
Scholars note that what appear as "conflicting views" may be a deliberate use of polyphony to manage internal political tensions:
- Inclusivity vs. Majoritarianism: He may articulate a vision of "pan-Indian inclusiveness" (e.g., 125 crore Indians) while senior party figures simultaneously voice more exclusionary or divisive sentiments.
- Dialogue vs. Directness: While he publicly advocates for "constant dialogue between different thought processes," his actual communication often bypasses traditional institutions in favor of direct "tweet politics" or one-way radio broadcasts like Mann Ki Baat.
3. Tension and Lack of Resolution
In Bakhtinian polyphony, voices exist without authorial judgment, leaving tensions unresolved. Similarly, the Modi government has been characterized as having "inner demons" where forward-looking missions (like technology and growth) often clash with backward-looking instincts (like majoritarianism), without the leader definitively resolving the conflict for all audiences.
Comparison: Bakhtin vs. Political Reality
| Bakhtinian Polyphony | Modi’s Rhetoric |
|---|---|
| Independent Voices: Characters have equal rights to the author. | Controlled Multi-vocality: The leader performs different roles, but they all serve a singular political mission. |
| Open-endedness: No "final word" is spoken. | Strategic Closure: While multiple views are aired, official policy often moves toward centralizing power. |
| Subversion: Voices can shock and subvert the author. | Deification: Rhetoric often constructs a "deity-like" image that discourages subversion. |
I can prepare a detailed breakdown of specific policy shifts—such as those regarding farmer protests or religious interference—where these "conflicting voices" are most apparent. - GoogleAI
Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra
