Politics in diversity

PEW survey of Indians' religiosity tells you why Modi's rivals have failed to challenge him: Confused secularism that's ceded religion to the BJP

The latest PEW research survey on Indians and religiosity has made headlines and sparked much debate. Can it teach us something about our politics?

So far, the discussion has remained mostly on the parameters of sociology: How religious Indians of various faiths are, how respectfully they see others, their views on neighbours, nationalism and food. But does it answer questions like, how do you win an election in India? More specifically, what do you tell the voter, and in which language so that they buy into your message and proposition?

Narendra Modi and his BJP know the answers. So, the questions are