OH!MY INDIA! WHEN WILL YOU REALISE!!!!!

• https://www.thehindu.com/education/death-by-devotion-hero-worship-and-its-discontents/article70166954.ece
• Hero worship is deeply embedded in Indian society across sports, cinema, and politics, often transcending admiration to border on religious devotion. While this phenomenon provides a sense of inspiration and belonging, it has also raised concerns about accountability, democratic integrity, and fan-related tragedies. 
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Sports: Cricket as a religion

• In India, hero worship is most visible in cricket, where star players achieve demigod-like status. 
  • Deification of cricketers: Figures like Sachin Tendulkar are widely worshipped across different segments of society, and the intense adulation for players like Virat Kohli has led to the rise of a fervent "superstar culture".
  • Dangerous fandom: The obsession with cricket stars can have serious consequences. A recent stampede at an IPL 2025 celebration in Bengaluru, which led to fatalities, was fueled by fans desperate to see their favorite player, highlighting the perils of this intense devotion.
  • Impact on the sport: Some critics argue that this "icon culture" can overshadow team interests, leading to poor performance during transition phases when star players depart. It may also influence team selection, prioritizing brand value over talent. 
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  • Movies: Reel heroes in real life
    Indian movie stars, particularly in the south, are often treated as living gods, with their off-screen lives blurring with their on-screen heroics. 
    • God-like status: Fans have built temples for actors like Rajinikanth and former actress Khushbu, elevating them beyond mere celebrities. This adoration translates into massive box office success and fanatical support.
    • Political springboard: In states like Tamil Nadu, cinema has long served as a launchpad for political careers. The on-screen personas of actors often resonate with the political aspirations of the public, enabling them to transition into powerful political leaders. Vijay's recent entry into politics is the latest example of this enduring tradition.
    • Extreme devotion: The adoration can turn extreme, with fans carrying out rituals, self-harm, or even taking their lives in fits of devotion or grief. The recent stampede at a movie theatre for the film Pushpa 2 resulted in one death and highlighted the dangerous obsession with movie stars. 
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    • Politics: The personality cult
      Indian politics has a long history of hero worship, with leaders often elevated to an unchallengeable status. 
      • Threat to democracy: Founding fathers, like B. R. Ambedkar, warned that hero worship could lead to degradation and eventual dictatorship by undermining democratic processes and accountability. Blind loyalty discourages dissent and critical thinking among the electorate.
      • Authoritarian potential: Instances like the "Indira is India" slogan during the Emergency era exemplify how politics can collapse into a personality cult, with authoritarian consequences.
      • Erosion of institutions: Contemporary examples, such as the cult surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, show how a leader's image can dominate campaigns and policies, subordinating national interest to personal prestige. This can distort policymaking and weaken institutions.
      • Focus on image over substance: Hero worship can result in policies being branded with a leader's face for image-building, while public attention is distracted by glamour and expensive campaigns.
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      • Key takeaways: The role of hero worship today
        In contemporary India, hero worship is fueled and intensified by social media and AI-driven algorithms. 
        • Digitally amplified devotion: Social media creates an echo chamber where fans receive a constant stream of content related to their idols, magnifying hero worship.
        • The "unsung heroes": The glorification of celebrities often overshadows the achievements of genuine heroes, such as soldiers or accomplished sportspersons in less-popular fields, who receive less media attention.
        • Need for maturity: To safeguard democratic health, there is a growing call for citizens to separate admiration from adulation and demand accountability from public figures instead of offering blind devotion. 
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        • https://www.aljazeera.com/features
        • /2014/3/21/hero-worship-
        • -new-heights-in-india