Deepika Padukone has been appointed as India’s first Mental health Ambassador under Modi 3.0. On paper, it looks like a progressive move. But to the BJP’s traditional support base, this feels less like a step forward and more like a deliberate slap. For many, it’s a reminder that the party of “Hindutva and grassroots nationalism” is increasingly chasing urban optics over core convictions. And the irony? honey singh – a man who publicly sings about his mental breakdowns – might have been a more authentic choice.
1. The Disconnect
Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 was accused of being “too soft” and losing touch with his base. Modi 3.0 seems to be repeating history, except this time, it feels intentional – as if the party has pledged to offend its own supporters.
2. The Symbolism of Deepika
Deepika Padukone isn’t just a bollywood superstar. She’s a cultural icon for independent, urban, feminist India. The bjp knows this. Her appointment is less about mental health and more about chasing urban women voters who admire her “slayer” persona.
3. The Fantasy Fulfillment
For many urban women, DP represents the dream of bending the world to their will – of being unapologetic, glamorous, and powerful. bjp is banking on that aspirational fantasy to buy votes in metros.
4. The Irony of Authenticity
Meanwhile, Yo Yo honey singh has made mental health his only subject in interviews and songs. He openly talks about depression, addiction, and recovery. If authenticity mattered, he was the obvious pick. But authenticity doesn’t win elections – optics do.
5. The Betrayal of the Base
For BJP’s traditional supporters, this is one more nail in the coffin of cultural disconnect. They wanted voices rooted in Bharat. Instead, they got bollywood optics. The message is clear: the party is willing to alienate its base for urban applause.
6. The Larger Play
This isn’t just about mental health. It’s about signalling. bjp is saying: “We don’t care what you think. We’re going after the demographic that once mocked us – urban elites, feminists, and globalist liberals.”
7. The Fallout
When justice turns performative, when symbolism overtakes substance, policies lose meaning. This appointment may win headlines, but it risks losing hearts. And politics without conviction is just marketing.
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