Propagating the cult of personality seems to have become de rigueur among political parties in India. The imposition of a false halo by acolytes of a political party upon it's leader is not only unhealthy for democracy but it also leads to despotism and destruction. Consider the prime example of Modi who has been put so high on a pedestal by his enamoured bhakts that they begin to live in denial about instances where their leader flagrantly sacrifices the issues, morals and values once believed essential for the greater good. The fate of cult 'stars' like Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Mao among others are all there for the world to see. The extreme religious polarisation and intolerance in India, the rise of the rabid right wing swearing allegiance to the purported Hindu Hridaysamrat, toxic opposition to differing ideologies, the atrocities on the minorities and Dalits all aided and abetted by the presiding cult leader are a fallout of hero worship aka andh bhakti which we see today. It is time Indians realize that blind faith in a venomous demagogue will lead us to certain doom as an equitable society.
