Many many years ago I interviewed a VHP office-bearer in Lucknow. We were in his drawing room. He was going on and on about Hindu culture, how the Manusmriti was misunderstood and how "aping the West" was ruining India, usual blah blah. So I asked him how this argument... 1/3

...worked in his own life. How do you mean, he asked puzzled. So I said, there are three men in this room, all wearing trousers and shirts. We are sitting on your sofa. You have an air-conditioner on. Your son is working on his computer in the corner, you are proud because... 2/3

...he& #39;s just got a job in a German multinational. I& #39;m the only person in Indian wear, in my sari. So who exactly is "aping the West".
To his credit, his answer was "Heh heh, madam".
It& #39;s all hypocrisy and a handle with which to suppress and discriminate against "Others". 3/3