First writers then artists, followed by filmmakers, historians and
scientists. The chorus of Indian intellectuals protesting religious
bigotry and communal violence grows louder by the week with a single
message for Prime Minister Narendra Modi: protect India's tradition of
secularism and diversity.
Those protesting are angry and worried by a spate of deadly attacks against atheist thinkers and minorities, and by Modi's relative silence through it all. That silence appears to have encouraged some of his party colleagues to make comments asserting Hindu pride and superiority.