Seeking cultural roots: Beyond name change, regimes, and identity politics

With changes to Delhi's architectural map, a re-naming rash, and more Hindu symbolism in secular spaces, the govt is making it clear it wants a clean break with post-colonial India, writes T N Ninan

Towards the end of his first term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his regret was that he had not been able to win over Lutyens Delhi — the usual short-hand for India’s version of the Establishment, or entrenched (mostly English-speaking) elite. Now, approaching the end of his second term, what Mr Modi has been able to do is not so much win over the Establishment as displace it, as part of the larger plan to re-make the nation, not just the capital city.

At the Delhi end of this larger effort, there is the capture or demolition of