I agree it is quite a reflexive thing for Indians to do — blame the West. It comes from a lack of confidence in many of our institutions and structures, a history that we are still coming to grips with and questioning our place in the world, but that is changing.

I also don’t think anyone in India is blaming the West for any of her current ills. I only take exception to statements like ‘this country is built on the back of minorities’ and the ilk. The ‘disenfranchisement’ in the North East, has been driven by a decades long people’s movement and a promise made by the Federal Government in 1984 — I stand by it and hope for better implementation. However, extending the exercise to the rest of the country is absolutely unacceptable and I will join you in your condemnation.