A nation of faith

Religion is the opium of the masses - Karl Marx

We are a nation with about 83.6 crore (77% of population) surviving on less than 20 rupees a day, But still to my amazement Crowds gather and vote when one Mr. Owaisi (an elected MLA) declares: "His faith makes people braver than others, Only if Police give him an opportunity to show that"

Never mind, his community seems to have missed more on economic growth than others accounting for twice (22.6%) occupancy in jails than its population (10.6%). But well Mr. Owaisi is the knowledgable leader of masses, who visits London for medical treatment. He must be more well-informed on the issue.

Not to be outdone Mr. Togadia declares his faith's strength by the bodies piled up by his followers.

Both leaders are banking on the fact that "Faith will provide 2 square meals to the 83 crore Indians", perhaps reasonably so because it is providing feasts in their homes, at least.

As Mark Twain put it in his book Following the Equator: "It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes…. enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining."


Source:
'Most Indians earn less than Rs 20/day in India' accessed on 10 Feb 2013, 10 pm
More Muslims in Maharashtra and Bengal prisons than Gujarat accessed on 10 Feb 2013, 10:30 pm
After Owaisi, it’s Togadia’s turn to make hate speech accessed on 10 Feb 2013, 10:40 pm