Despite their self-affixed 'Hindu' tag, there is nothing in common between the desecrators of Maqbool Fida Husain's Mumbai home, and Sanatana Dharma, which is one of this civilisation's greatest contributions to humanity.

A true sanatani will recognise as a kindred soul any individual (whether called a Muslim, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist or Christian) who adopts the creed of Himsa Dooyathe, or moderation, in his or her life.

An Abdul Kalam or an M.F. Husain (whatever one may think about his paintings) is much, much more a sanatani than the Taliban-like individuals who are trying to convert Mumbai into another Kabul. By adopting an ISI-type view of society, and thus promoting polarisation between the two biggest religious groups in India, Pakistan's plot of dividing India comes closer to realisation.

Should a community feel itself to be under threat (as happened with the Sikhs after the 1984 Delhi pogrom and the Muslims after the 1992 destruction of the Babari Masjid), its elements will be more easily enticed by the efforts of China and Pakistan to recruit them for insurgency.

Apart from following the Taliban's example in social policy, some 'Hindu' organisations are also emulating its example in economics. Today, there is virtually no difference between the ISI fanatics (who seek to drive away foreign investment from India), the Chinese agents (who seek the same goal) and a section of the Swadeshi brigade, which rants against the "dangers" posed to the Hindu way of life by, say, Coca-Cola or Kentucky Fried Chicken. Such individuals are allied to the eco-fanatics, who have been using legal means to stop new enterprises from being set up in India ...

If democratic India is to checkmate (China), it needs to attract at least $200 billion of foreign investment in the next 10 years. This is not possible if projects get halted on flimsy legal or political grounds, or if foreigners are regarded as unwelcome ...

As one of the world's major powers, India need not be afraid of a new East India Company. Provided, of course, that it can confront the Taliban-like enemy within as effectively as it has thus far countered the external threat from Pakistan and China. Today, post-Pokhran II, the emerging threat to India's security comes from the intolerance and bigotry practised by some of the self- appointed defenders of Bharat Mata.