India, March 20 -- As the world's largest democracy, India's political landscape is shaped by a diverse array of cultural symbols and narratives, each carrying its socio-political significance. Politicians, cognizant of these dynamics, strategically deploy cultural symbolism to appeal to different segments of the electorate, often blurring the lines between tradition and modernity, symbolism and substance. Recently, Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi engaged in a verbal skirmish over the interpretation of the term 'Shakti' and its implications on their respective political narratives. Rahul emphasised his reverence towards women, equating them with divine power. Modi underscored the significance of 'Shakti', citing the Chandrayaan mission's l...