Once Britain moved beyond religious nationalism, religion itself became a spent force, though not one prevented from speaking truth to power. Contrast India.
Some bashed the monarchy and called the royal wedding a non-event. A minority voice claimed that the wedding was no big deal. (He was wrong).
Ravish Kumar has recorded the Republic of Fear for posterity. These are the heroes of World Press Freedom Day.
Many epithets have been used to run down the Commonwealth. The London summit may even be called the Commonwealth Games II…
Some 5,000 participants from government, business and civil society have arrived for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The central theme of the deliberations is ‘Towards a Common Future’.
So, what is the right measure of passion in politics that is good for the health of democracy? There has to be a right balance.
One cynic says that after every election, the new Government can spend its first year in uninstalling the statutes erected by the previous regime.
Ironically, the message of scientific temper, modernity, secularism resonated more in India when the rate of literacy was low. Distinctions between science and mythology and mythology and history keep eroding.
The cow has highlighted religious, regional, social and cultural differences. Some humans have been killed in the name of the cow.
The Great India Show covers even science in India. It has been blessed by the two governments. Britain is out on a mission to rediscover India.
If religious passions are inflamed, it is election time. This is what every regular visitor to India has come to know.
