From Rivers to Rulers: The worshipping culture of Indians

Deva Darshana Deuri

Worship is one of the oldest ways people express faith, respect, and gratitude. Since ancient times, different civilizations have worshipped the sun for giving light, rivers for giving life, the earth for providing food, and God for hope and guidance. In India, this tradition is deeply rooted in our culture. We worship the Ganga as a mother, treat trees and mountains as sacred, and honour knowledge through Goddess Saraswati. Our traditions teach us to respect and protect what supports life and helps society grow.

But this also raises an important question: who or what should we worship?Why do we find it so easy to worship people?

For thousands of years, these traditions have taught Indians one simple lesson: human beings are not above nature, we are part of it.
This way of thinking has helped shape India’s identity. Worship was not merely a religious ritual; it was also a reminder to respect the world around us.

But over the years, something changed.
Our habit of worship slowly moved beyond nature and spirituality. Today, we often worship personalities with the same intensity, or sometimes even more, once reserved for the divine. Film stars are celebrated like gods. Before a major movie release, fans decorate theatres, burst fireworks, and pour milk over enormous cut-outs of their favourite actors. Cricket legends are given titles such as “God of Cricket.” Social media influencers are treated as unquestionable authorities. Political leaders are praised with songs, giant posters, and slogans that sometimes make them appear bigger than the democratic institutions they serve.

None of this is wrong by itself. Every society needs role models. Great actors entertain us. Great athletes inspire us to work hard. Great leaders can transform a nation through vision and determination.
The problem begins when admiration becomes unquestioning loyalty. A healthy democracy depends on citizens asking questions. Blind devotion discourages them from asking any. Recent events have reminded us why this distinction matters.

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The protests associated with Sonam Wangchuk sparked discussions across the country. Some supported his demands. Others disagreed saying he is in the wrong platform with the wrong people. Disagreements are natural in a democracy but what is more worrying, however, is how quickly public conversations shifted away from the issues themselves.

Whenever an important issue emerges, whether it concerns unemployment, education, the economy, the environment, or governance, public debate often revolves around individuals instead of ideas. Supporters defend everything their preferred leader says. Policies receive less attention than personalities. Democracy slowly starts looking less like a marketplace of ideas and more like a competition between fan clubs.

Social media has accelerated this trend. Algorithms reward emotional content because it keeps people engaged. A dramatic slogan spreads much faster than a detailed policy discussion. Short clips are shared millions of times before anyone checks whether they tell the complete story. Facts become secondary and loyalty becomes more important than evidence.

The same pattern exists in entertainment. An actor delivers one successful film, and fans begin treating criticism as a personal attack. A cricketer scores a century and is celebrated as a national hero. A few poor performances later, the same player becomes the target of abuse. We move between worship and outrage without leaving much room for balance.

Politics has become no different. Political leaders are not kings. They are not saints. They are elected representatives chosen by citizens to manage public affairs. They make decisions about education, healthcare, employment, national security, and the economy. Like every public servant, they should be appreciated when they succeed and questioned when they fail.

That is not disrespect, that is democracy.
Unfortunately, many people now see criticism of a political leader as criticism of the nation itself. This mindset is dangerous because it places individuals above institutions.

History teaches us an important lesson. Leaders change. Governments change. Celebrities rise and fade. But institutions remain. The Constitution, Parliament, the judiciary, independent media, universities, and other democratic institutions are what protect a country in the long run. When citizens place more faith in personalities than in institutions, democracy becomes fragile.

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Ironically, India’s own intellectual traditions teach the opposite. The Bhagawad Geeta begins because Arjun refuses to accept easy answers and asks difficult questions. Buddhist and Jain philosophers encouraged debate instead of blind acceptance. India’s greatest thinkers believed that truth becomes stronger through questioning, not weaker.

Perhaps we have forgotten those lessons. Respect should never require silence. We should continue respecting rivers because they sustain life. We should protect forests because they protect our future. We should admire artists for their creativity, athletes for their dedication, scientists for their discoveries, and political leaders for good governance.
But none of them should become beyond criticism. The strength of a democracy is not measured by how loudly people praise their leaders. It is measured by whether ordinary citizens can question them without fear, disagreement, or hatred.

The lesson India needs today is respect what enriches society. Celebrate those who serve it well. But reserve worship for ideals like truth, justice, compassion, and wisdom, not for human beings, no matter how famous or powerful they may be. A nation that respects its heroes is healthy but a nation that worships them without question risks forgetting the very values that make democracy possible.

Deva Darshana Deuri, Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University

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